title: Numerical method for determining the interface free energy.
abstract: We propose a general method (based on the Wang-Landau algorithm) to compute numerically free energies that are obtained from the logarithm of the ratio of suitable partition functions. As an application, we determine with high accuracy the order-order interface tension of the four-state Potts model in three dimensions on cubic lattices of linear extension up to L=56. The infinite volume interface tension is then extracted at each β from a fit of the finite volume interface tension to a known universal behavior. A comparison of the order-order and order-disorder interface tension at β(c) provides a clear numerical evidence of perfect wetting.
authors.affiliation: College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hietanen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lucini
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010825:Physics / Q000379:methods*; D013500:Surface Tension; D013816:Thermodynamics