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Equation 4 · Part 11 · More Is Different: Emergence and Phase Transitions

subscript

δKi′=∑jΛij δKj,Λij=∂Ki′∂Kj∣K∗\delta K'_i = \sum_j \Lambda_{ij} \, \delta K_j, \qquad \Lambda_{ij} = \frac{\partial K'_i}{\partial K_j} \Big|_{K^{*}}
subscript

What this part means

The lower label selects a particular version, component, or indexed member of the quantity. For example, x₀ and xₜ can be values at different positions.

Its job in the formula

A subscript distinguishes a version, component, step, or member of a quantity. It does not automatically mean multiplication.

The passage around this formula

A critical point corresponds to a fixed point of this flow, a Hamiltonian that maps to itself, which is exactly the scale-invariance the diverging correlation length demanded. Linearising the map about the fixed point, δKi′=∑jΛij δKj,Λij=∂Ki′∂Kj∣K∗\delta K'_i = \sum_j \Lambda_{ij} \, \delta K_j, \qquad \Lambda_{ij} = \frac{\partial K'_i}{\partial K_j} \Big|_{K^{*}}. sorts perturbations into three kinds by the eigenvalues of that matrix. Relevant directions grow under iteration and drive the system away from criticality; there are usually very few of them, typically corresponding to temperature and to a symmetry-breaking field. Irrelevant directions shrink to zero under iteration. Marginal directions decide at higher order.

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Learn the underlying idea

A subscript is a label attached below a symbol. It often selects a time step, component, category, or member of a sequence.

Open the illustrated subscripts: which member of a family? guide →

Sources cited in the article section

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