Finite size scaling and first-order phase transition in a modified XY model.

Monte Carlo simulation has been performed in a two-dimensional modified XY -model first proposed by Domany [Phys. Rev. Lett. 52, 1535 (1984)] The cluster algorithm of Wolff has been used and multiple histogram reweighting is performed. The first-order scaling behavior of the quantities such as specific heat and free-energy barrier are found to be obeyed accurately. While the lowest-order correlation function was found to decay to zero at long distance just above the transition, the next-higher-order correlation function shows a nonzero plateau.