Theoretical evidence for a reentrant phase diagram in {\em ortho-para} mixtures of solid H$_2$

Hetenyi, Balazs; Scandolo, Sandro; Tosatti, Erio

Theoretical evidence for a reentrant phase diagram in {\em ortho-para} mixtures of solid H$_2$

Authors

Hetenyi, Balazs

Scandolo, Sandro

Tosatti, Erio

Description

We develop a multi order parameter mean-field formalism for systems of coupled quantum rotors. The scheme is developed to account for systems where {\it ortho-para} distinction is valid. We apply our formalism to solid H$_2$ and D$_2$. We find an anomalous {\it reentrant} orientational phase transition for both systems at thermal equilibrium. The correlation functions of the order parameter indicate short-range order at low temperatures. As temperature is increased the correlation increases along the phase boundary. We also find that even extremely small {\it odd-J} concentrations (1%) can trigger short-range orientational ordering.
4 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Physical Review Letters