Artikel ansehen

Semi-infinite systems which undergo a first-order bulk transition are considered. A new type of surface phase transition is predicted which has two unexpected features:(1) It exhibits some universal properties since a variety of surface exponents can be defined although there are no bulk exponents;(2) a layer of the disordered phase appears between the free surface and the ordered bulk. The interface between the disordered and the ordered phases becomes delocalized as in the wetting and in the pinning transition.