Eight-vertex model

In statistical mechanics, the eight-vertex model is a generalization of the ice-type model introduced by Sutherland (1970), Fan & Wu (1970), and solved by Baxter & ???? in the zero-field case.

Description

A state of the model consists of an arrow on each edge of a square lattice, such that the number of arrows pointing inwards at each vertex is even (0, 2, or 4). This differs from the ice-type model, where the number of arrows pointing inwards at each vertex must be 2. The name eight-vertex model comes from the fact that there are 8 possible configurations of arrows at each vertex:

References

• Baxter, Rodney J. (1982), Exactly solved models in statistical mechanics, London: Academic Press Inc. [Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers], ISBN 978-0-12-083180-7, MR690578