Modulated structure-paramagnet phase transition in the anisotropic Ising model with competing interactions

Abstract

Long-period modulated structures are investigated by means of Monte Carlo methods within the anisotropic Ising model with competing interactions (the ANNNI model). The amplitude of the modulated phase is proposed as a new order parameter for describing modulated structures. It is shown that the amplitude used as an order parameter allows properties of the modulated phase-paramagnet phase transition to be investigated.