Scaling and nonscaling finite-size effects in the Gaussian and the mean spherical model with free boundary conditions.

We calculate finite-size effects of the Gaussian model in a Lx(d-1) box geometry with free boundary conditions in one direction and periodic boundary conditions in d-1 directions for 2 infinity ). Finite-size scaling is found to be valid for d<3 and d>3 but logarithmic deviations from finite-size scaling are found for the free energy and energy density at the Gaussian upper borderline dimension d*=3. The logarithms are related to the vanishing critical exponent 1-alpha-nu=(d-3)/2 of the Gaussian surface energy density. The latter has a cusplike singularity in d>3 dimensions. We show that these properties are the origin of nonscaling finite-size effects in the mean spherical model with free boundary conditions in d > or =3 dimensions. At bulk T(c), in d=3 dimensions we find an unexpected nonlogarithmic violation of finite-size scaling for the susceptibility chi approximately L3 of the mean spherical model in film geometry, whereas only a logarithmic deviation chi approximately L2 ln L exists for box geometry. The result for film geometry is explained by the existence of the lower borderline dimension d(l)=3, as implied by the Mermin-Wagner theorem, that coincides with the Gaussian upper borderline dimension d*=3. For 3 or =T(c).