Phase diagrams of Ising films with competing interactions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase diagrams of finite-thickness Ising films with competing interactions using multiple methods, revealing how phase behavior varies with film thickness and surface coupling variations.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the ANNNI model for finite films, combining mean-field, Monte Carlo, and low-temperature methods to map phase diagrams.

Findings

Distinct phase diagrams for each film thickness

Phase diagrams are robust against surface coupling variations

Multiple analytical and simulation methods confirm phase behavior

Abstract

The axial next-nearest-neighbour Ising (ANNNI) model of finite thickness is studied. Using mean-field theory, Monte Carlo simulations, and low-temperature analyses, phase diagrams are determined, with a distinct phase diagram for each film thickness. The robustness of the phase diagrams against varying the couplings in the surface layers is analysed.