Domain wall renormalization group study of the XY model with quenched random phase shifts -: art. no. 054536

The XY model with quenched random disorder is studied by a zero-temperature domain wall renormalization group method in two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D). Instead of the usual phase representation we use the charge (vortex) representation to compute the domain wall, or defect, energy. For the gauge glass corresponding to the maximum disorder we reconfirm earlier predictions that there is no ordered phase in 2D but an ordered phase can exist in 3D at low temperature. However, our simulations yield spin stiffness exponents theta(s)approximate to-0.36 in 2D and theta(s)approximate to+0.31 in 3D, which are considerably larger than previous estimates and strongly suggest that the lower critical dimension is less than three. For the +/-J XY spin glass in 3D, we obtain a spin stiffness exponent theta(s)approximate to+0.10 which supports the existence of spin glass order at finite temperature in contrast with previous estimates which obtain theta(s)<0. Our method also allows us to study renormalization group flows of both the coupling constant and the disorder strength with a length scale L. Our results are consistent with recent analytic and numerical studies suggesting the absence of a reentrant transition in 2D at low temperature. Some possible consequences and connections with real vortex systems are discussed.