Past exam of the theoretical physics major option course of the University of Oxford / 2018 / 6 / a

Choose a coarse-grained magnetization $m(\mathbf{x})$ as the order parameter: it vanishes in the paramagnetism phase and develops a spontaneous nonzero value in the ferromagnetism phase. In zero applied magnetic field, spin reversal sends $m\mapsto -m$, so the local Landau free energy contains only even powers. A minimal spatially inhomogeneous free-energy functional isThe positive gradient coefficient penalizes rapid spatial variations. Near an ordinary transition take $a(T)=a_0(T-T_0)$, $a_0>0$, and positive $b$; retain the sextic term when $b$ can approach or cross zero. The source $h$ is conjugate to the magnetization and explicitly breaks spin reversal.

Determine equilibrium by minimizing this free-energy functional, imposing the appropriate boundary conditions. Its Euler-Lagrange equation isFor a uniform system at $h=0$, compare the values of all stable stationary solutions, rather than accepting every solution of this equation. The selected global minimum gives the equilibrium magnetization; derivatives of its free energy give entropy, heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility. At an ordinary transition the two ordered minima emerge continuously from zero. Spatial dependence also permits domain walls and an estimate of the correlation length.

This is a mean-field approximation: it selects a minimizing profile and neglects statistical fluctuations around it. The symmetry constrains the expansion, but its numerical coefficients are phenomenological. Close enough to a transition, thermal fluctuations near a critical point can invalidate the resulting mean-field critical exponents.^[ref]