Role of topological defects in the phase transition of modified XY model : A Monte Carlo study

Monte Carlo simulation has been performed on a classical two dimensional XY- model with a modified form of interaction potential to investigate the role of topological defects on the phase transition exhibited by the model. In simulations in a restricted ensemble without defects, the system appears to remain ordered at all temperatures. Suppression of topological defects on the square plaquettes in the modified XY- model leads to complete elimination of the phase transition observed in this model.