Paper detail

Response to a twist on systems with Zp symmetry

We study response to a twist in the two-dimensional p-state clock model, which has the discrete Zp symmetry. The response is measured in terms of helicity modulus, which is usually defined with respect to an infinitesimal twist. However, we demonstrate that such a definition is inappropriate for the clock model. The helicity modulus must be defined with respect to a finite, quantized twist which matches the discrete Zp symmetry of the model. Recent numerical results, which casted doubt on the standard picture that two Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transitions occur for p > 4, are rather a consequence of use of the inappropriate quantity. Numerical calculation of the appropriately defined helicity modulus indeed supports the standard picture.