Thermodynamic first order transition and inverse freezing in a 3D spin-glass

We present a numerical study of the random Blume-Capel model in three dimension. The phase diagram is characterized by spin-glass/paramagnet phase transitions both of first and second order in the thermodynamic sense. Numerical simulations are performed using the Exchange-Monte Carlo algorithm, providing clear evidence for inverse freezing. The main features at criticality and in the phase coexistence region are investigated. We are not privy to other 3D short-range systems with quenched disorder undergoing inverse freezing.