Eur. Phys. J. B 27, 321-327 (2002)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2002-00161-6

Phase diagrams of Ising films with competing interactions

¹ Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Hochschule, 52056 Aachen, Germany
² Institut für Theoretische Physik I, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
³ LFG Stochastik, Technische Hochschule, 52056 Aachen, Germany

Corresponding author: ^a selke@physik.rwth-aachen.de

Received: 19 March 2002
Revised: 2 April 2002
Published online: 6 June 2002

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.