Universality and multifractal behaviour of spin-spin correlation functions in disordered Potts models

We report a transfer matric study of the random bond q-state Potts model in the vicinity of the Ising model q = 2. We draw attention to a precise determination of magnetic scaling dimensions in order to compare with perturbative results. Universality is checked by the computation of the spin-spin correlation function decay exponent obtained with different types of probability distributions of the coupling strengths. Our numerical data, compared to perturbative results for the second moment of the correlation function, obtained with both replica symmetry and replica symmetry breaking schemer, are conclusively in favour of the replica symmetric calculations. The multifractal behaviour of higher moments as well as that of typical correlation functions are also investigated and a comparison is made with the perturbative expansions. Finally, the shape of the correlation function probability distribution is analyzed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.