Random-cluster interfaces: critical, disordered, thermal, and natural-time scaling

For every fixed \(1\le q\lt 4\), critical square-lattice random-cluster Dobrushin interfaces converge as ordered curves to chordal \(\mathop{\mathrm{SLE}}\nolimits _{\kappa(q)}\), where \(\kappa(q)=4\pi/\arccos(-\sqrt q/2)\), confirming the Rohde–Schramm prediction in this parameter range. This holds in every bounded Jordan domain under uniform marked boundary approximation. The complete nested plane loop collections converge to whole-plane \(\mathop{\mathrm{CLE}}\nolimits _{\kappa(q)}\) in a spherical matching topology retaining multiplicities and traversals. At q = 1 we obtain Cardy's formula for square-lattice bond percolation with free boundary edges.

For every fixed \(0\lt q\lt 1\), we prove that the Dobrushin interface of the square-lattice random-cluster model at its self-dual parameter converges to chordal SLE_κ, where \(\kappa=4\pi/\arccos(-\sqrt q/2)\in(6,8)\). The approximating domains are simple closed nearest-neighbor lattice polygons with distinct marked vertices, whose marked boundary parametrizations converge uniformly to those of a bounded smooth Jordan domain. Convergence holds along the full mesh sequence in the uniform metric on oriented curves modulo increasing reparametrization. The proof combines finite connection comparisons below one, localization in irregular tiled disks, and a boundary observable that determines the limiting Loewner driver.

We prove that critical FK–Ising interfaces with sufficiently weak, symmetric, independent two-valued bond disorder converge to chordal SLE_16/3. The disorder strength is fixed as the mesh tends to zero, and convergence of the conditional curve laws holds in probability over the environment.

We prove convergence of thermal FK–Ising interfaces, for every fixed nonzero mass of either sign, on uniformly angle-bounded isoradial lattices in bounded simply connected domains. The limit is independent of the lattice and the admissible domain approximation. For positive mass it is the unique massive SLE\(_{16/3}\) law with locally finite-energy drift prescribed by a massive boundary value problem; negative mass follows by duality and reversal. The theorem also allows Carathéodory approximations whose diameters diverge.

We prove that the rescaled counting measure of a critical square-lattice Fortuin–Kasteleyn Dobrushin interface in the unit square converges to the Minkowski-content measure of its Schramm–Loewner limit, for every fixed cluster weight \(1\le q\lt 4\). A single deterministic constant times the predicted power of the mesh gives the normalization. Convergence is joint with the ordered curve and includes the total mass, giving the scaling limit of the interface's total number of steps.

For every fixed \(1\le q\le4\), critical square-lattice random-cluster Dobrushin interfaces converge to chordal \(\mathop{\mathrm{SLE}}\nolimits _{\kappa(q)}\), where \(\kappa(q)=4\pi/\arccos(-\sqrt q/2)\), and the complete nested plane loop collections converge to whole-plane \(\mathop{\mathrm{CLE}}\nolimits _{\kappa(q)}\). The results hold under uniform marked Jordan boundary approximation and retain loop multiplicities and traversals. At q = 1 we obtain Cardy's formula for square-lattice bond percolation with free boundary edges.