Work

Adjoint ferromagnets

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We derive the phase structure and thermodynamics of ferromagnets consisting of elementary magnets carrying the adjoint representation of SU ( N ) and coupled through two-body quadratic interactions. Such systems have a continuous SU ( N ) symmetry as well as a discrete conjugation symmetry. We uncover a rich spectrum of phases and transitions, involving a paramagnetic and two distinct ferromagnetic phases that can coexist as stable and metastable states in different combinations over a range of temperatures. The ferromagnetic phases break SU ( N ) invariance in various channels, leading to spontaneous magnetization. Interestingly, the conjugation symmetry also breaks over a range of temperatures and group ranks N , providing a realization of a spontaneously broken discrete symmetry.

Source: Nuclear Physics B

DOI: 10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2025.117287

Authors: Joaquín López-Suárez, Alexios P. Polychronakos, Konstantinos Sfetsos

Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, The Graduate Center, CUNY, City College of New York

Language: English

Topic: Theoretical and Computational Physics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Science Foundation, Division of Physics, Professional Staff Congress and City University of New York

Awards: G1237399534, G6477954681, G6673681403, G6809733341