P-204: Statistical Mechanics -I

Assignment 3

Please submit by 19th May, 2013.

Problem 1
1-D Potts Model The Potts Model is a generalization of the Ising model. It consists of N spins arranged on a lattice, where the spins interact only with their nearest neighbours. Depending on the number of dimensions in which the model is described (i.e. the number of dimensions the spins live in), it gives rise to dierent models. In order to understand this, we need to look at the simplest Hamiltonian for the model. It is given by H = J
i

Si ,Si+1

where i,j is the familiar Kronecker delta. The spins can have any of p values, according to p dierent orientations in space. Let us use this for calculating a few familiar quantities. 1. Write down the transfer matrix for this N -spin system. What is the partition function? 2. Using the transfer matrix, calculate the correlation function between the spins at the j th and the (j + q )th position. Note: For p=2, you get the Ising model. If you wish, you can verify your answers by putting p=2 and checking the answers for the Ising model. (You do not need to include this in the solution; this is only for your own satisfaction)

Problem 2
Probability function in the Ising Model Say we have our familiar 1-D Ising model consisting of N spins. We are going to use the transfer matrix technique to calculate a few quantities. 1. Write down the transfer matrix. Use it to calculate the partition function, the free energy and the magnetization 2. Next, we shall use it to calculate a probability. Say the spin at position i is in a particular state (up or down). Calculate the probability that the spins at position i + 1, i + 2 ... till i + n are in the same state and the spin at position i + n + 1 is in the opposite state. 3. Now, we say that the spin at i + n + 1 can be in any state, irrespective of the state of the earlier spin. Indicate how the above probability function will change in this case. You need not explicitly calculate the probability.

Problem 3
Virial Coecients We consider a model of hard spheres. The potential is given as follows: V = 0 r<a r>a

The partition function cannot be calculated exactly for this (try this, if youre not convinced), so we instead try out a virial expansion. Find the second virial coecient B2 for this model. We can consider another model - that of a square potential well, instead of a hard sphere repulsive potential. The potential is then: r < a V = a < r < b 0 r>b Again, a partition function is not analytically calculable, but nd the second virial coecient for this. At what temperature does this go to zero?

Problem 4
Critical exponents and Bethe approximation Given the Bethe approximation in case of the 2-D Ising model, show that the critical exponents come out the same as those predicted by the Mean Field Theory. Also note that these do not depend on the dimension of the space.