The TAP-Plefka variational principle for the spherical SK model

TL;DR

This paper rigorously establishes a variational principle for the spherical SK model, connecting the TAP approach with classical variational methods in statistical physics.

Contribution

It provides a rigorous proof of the TAP-Plefka variational principle specifically for the spherical Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model.

Findings

Proves the TAP-Plefka variational principle rigorously for the spherical SK model.

Links the TAP approach to classical variational principles in spin glasses.

Enhances theoretical understanding of mean field spin glass models.

Abstract

We reinterpret the Thouless-Anderson-Palmer approach to mean field spin glass models as a variational principle in the spirit of the Gibbs variational principle and the Bragg-Williams approximation. We prove this TAP-Plefka variational principle rigorously in the case of the spherical Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model.