We consider the Ising model on the square lattice with biaxially correlated random ferromagnetic couplings, the critical point of which is fixed by self-duality. The disorder represents a relevant perturbation according to the extended Harris criterion. Critical properties of the system are studied by large scale Monte Carlo simulations. The correlation length critical exponent, \nu=2.005(5), corresponds to that expected in a system with isotropic correlated long-range disorder, whereas the scaling dimension of the magnetization density, x_m=0.1294(7), is somewhat larger than in the pure system. Conformal properties of the magnetization and energy density profiles are also examined numerically.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, RevTeX4, published version, minor change

In the two-dimensional Ising model weak random surface field is predicted to be a marginally irrelevant perturbation at the critical point. We study this question by extensive Monte Carlo simulations for various strength of disorder. The calculated effective (temperature or size dependent) critical exponents fit with the field-theoretical results and can be interpreted in terms of the predicted logarithmic corrections to the pure system's critical behaviour.

We consider the critical behavior at an interface which separates two semi-infinite subsystems belonging to different universality classes, thus having different set of critical exponents, but having a common transition temperature. We solve this problem analytically in the frame of φ k meanfield theory, which is then generalized using phenomenological scaling considerations. A large variety of interface critical behavior is obtained which is checked numerically on the example of two-dimensional q-state Potts models with 2 ≤ q ≤ 4. Weak interface couplings are generally irrelevant, resulting in the same critical behavior at the interface as for a free surface. With strong interface couplings, the interface remains ordered at the bulk transition temperature. More interesting is the intermediate situation, the special interface transition, when the critical behavior at the interface involves new critical exponents, which however can be expressed in terms of the bulk and surface exponents of the two subsystems. We discuss also the smooth or discontinuous nature of the order parameter profile.