Classical Heisenberg Model

Abstract

Exact expressions for the partition function, spin pair correlation function, and susceptibility of the onedimensional isotropic classical Heisenberg model are obtained in zero external field with cyclic boundary conditions. It is shown that the methods used to derive these results enable the partition functions and susceptibilities of finite clusters of interacting classical spins to be evaluated in terms of the $3n\ensuremath{-}j$ symbols of Wigner. Exact results in one dimension are also obtained for the partition function and susceptibility of a "planar" classical Heisenberg model. In this model the spin vectors interact via a Heisenberg coupling but each spin vector is restricted to lie in a plane.The anisotropic classical Heisenberg model described by the Hamiltonian $\mathcal{H}=\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Sigma}\stackrel{}{(\mathrm{ij})}2({{J}_{\mathrm{ij}}}^{x}{{s}_{i}}^{x}{{s}_{j}}^{x}+{{J}_{\mathrm{ij}}}^{y}{{s}_{i}}^{y}{{s}_{j}}^{y}+{{J}_{\mathrm{ij}}}^{z}{{s}_{i}}^{z}{{s}_{j}}^{z})\ensuremath{-}mH\ensuremath{\Sigma}\stackrel{N}{j=1}{{s}_{i}}^{z},$ where ${{s}_{i}}^{x}$, ${{s}_{i}}^{y}$, and ${{s}_{i}}^{z}$ are components of the unit vector ${\mathbf{s}}_{i}$, is also considered. A perturbation series for the zero-field free energy of the anisotropic model in one dimension with nearest-neighbor interactions ${{J}_{\mathrm{ij}}}^{x}={{J}_{\mathrm{ij}}}^{y}=J$ and ${{J}_{\mathrm{ij}}}^{z}=\ensuremath{\gamma}J$ is developed in powers of $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}1$ using the isotropic model as the unperturbed system. Detailed calculations are performed to third order in $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}1$. It is found that the perturbation series for the energy per spin breaks down as $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$. A high-temperature series expansion for the anisotropic model, which is valid for a general interaction potential and lattice, is derived by generalizing the methods developed by Horwitz and Callen for the Ising model. This series is rearranged to give a simplified diagram expansion. Finally, a practical technique for calculating the high-temperature series expansions of the zero-field free energy and susceptibility of the isotropic classical Heisenberg model is presented.