Finite-size scaling, phase coexistence, and algorithms for the random cluster model on random graphs

Tyler Helmuth, Matthew Jenssen, Will Perkins

Published 2020-06-20Version 1

For $\Delta \ge 5$ and $q$ large as a function of $\Delta$, we give a detailed picture of the phase transition of the random cluster model on random $\Delta$-regular graphs. In particular, we determine the limiting distribution of the weights of the ordered and disordered phases at criticality and prove exponential decay of correlations away from criticality. Our techniques are based on using polymer models and the cluster expansion to control deviations from the ordered and disordered ground states. These techniques also yield efficient approximate counting and sampling algorithms for the Potts and random cluster models on random $\Delta$-regular graphs at all temperatures when $q$ is large. Our algorithms apply more generally to $\Delta$-regular graphs satisfying a small set expansion condition.