Correlations and order parameter at a Coulomb-crystal phase transition in a three-dimensional dimer model

Understand

The three-dimensional classical dimer model with interactions shows an unexpected continuous phase transition between an ordered dimer crystal and a Coulomb liquid.

• A detailed analysis of the critical dimer and monomer correlation functions point to a subtle interplay between the fluctuations of the crystal order parameter and the "magnetic" degrees of freedom present in the Coulomb phase.
• The distribution probability of the crystal order parameter suggests an emerging continuous O(3) symmetry at the critical point.