Finite-size scaling from the self-consistent theory of localization

Accepting the validity of Vollhardt and Wölfle’s self-consistent theory of localization, we derive the finite-size scaling procedure used for studying the critical behavior in the d-dimensional case and based on the consideration of auxiliary quasi-1D systems. The obtained scaling functions for d = 2 and d = 3 are in good agreement with numerical results: it signifies the absence of substantial contradictions with the Vollhardt and Wölfle theory on the level of raw data. The results ν = 1.3–1.6, usually obtained at d = 3 for the critical exponentν of the correlation length, are explained by the fact that dependence L + L0 with L0 > 0 (L is the transversal size of the system) is interpreted as L1/ν with ν > 1. The modified scaling relations are derived for dimensions d ≥ 4; this demonstrates the incorrectness of the conventional treatment of data for d = 4 and d = 5, but establishes the constructive procedure for such a treatment. The consequences for other finite-size scaling variants are discussed.