n-vector model

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The n-vector model or O(n) model has been introduced by H. Eugene Stanley [1] is one of the many highly simplified models in the branch of physics known as statistical mechanics. In the n-vector model, n-component, unit length, classical spins  \mathbf{s}_i are placed on the vertices of a lattice. The Hamiltonian of the n-vector model is given by:

H = -J{\sum}_{<i,j>}\mathbf{s}_i \cdot \mathbf{s}_j

where the sum runs over all pairs of neighboring spins <i,j> and \cdot denotes the standard Euclidean inner product. Special cases of the n-vector model are:

n=0 || The Self-Avoiding Walks (SAW)
n=1 || The Ising model
n=2 || The XY model
n=3 || The Heisenberg model
n=4 || Toy model for the Higgs sector of the Standard Model

The general mathematical formalism used to describe and solve the n-vector model and certain generalizations are developed in the article on the Potts model.

References

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[1] H. E. Stanley, "Dependence of Critical Properties upon Dimensionality of Spins," Phys. Rev. Lett. 20, 589-592 (1968).

This paper is the basis of many articles in field theory and is reproduced as Chapter 1 of Brèzin/Wadia [eds] The Large-N expansion in Quantum Field Theory and Statistical Physics (World Scientific, Singapore, 1993). Also described extensively in the text Pathria RK Statistical Mechanics: Second Edition (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1996).

  • P.G. de Gennes, Phys. Lett. A, 38, 339 (1972) noticed that the n=0 case corresponds to the SAW.
  • George Gaspari, Joseph Rudnick, Phys. Rev. B, 33, 3295 (1986) discuss the model in the limit of n going to 0.


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  1. H. E. Stanley, "Dependence of Critical Properties upon Dimensionality of Spins," Phys. Rev. Lett. 20, 589-592 (1968).