The renormalization group and optimization of entropy

We illustrate the possible connection that exists between the extremal properties of entropy expressions and the renormalization group (RG) approach when applied to systems with scaling symmetry. We consider three examples: (1) Gaussian fixed-point criticality in a fluid or in the capillary-wave model or an interface; (2) Levy-like random walks with self-similar cluster formation; and (3) long-ranged bond percolation. In all cases we find a decreasing entropy function that becomes minimum under an appropriate constraint at the fixed point. We use an equivalence between random-walk distributions and order-parameter pair correlations in a simple fluid or magnet to study how the dimensional anomaly at criticality relates to walks with long-tailed distributions.