Critical behavior of the six-state clock model in two dimensions

We have examined the critical properties of the q=6 clock (vector Potts) model in two dimensions through Monte Carlo simulations. The model was investigated on L×{}L square lattices of size L=4 to L=72 with periodic boundary conditions. We found an intermediate XY-like phase between a low-temperature ordered phase and a high-temperature disordered phase. The phase transitions occur at kB{T}₁/J=0.68±0.02 and{k}BT₂/J=0.92±{}0.01 and are of the Kosterlitz-Thouless type. The susceptibility diverges in the intermediate phase and the exponent {η} varies between 0.100 at T₁ and 0.275 at T₂.