Many physical systems can be represented by a regular arrangement of molecules in a lattice structure. Knowing how neighboring molecules in the lattice interact with one another can give great insight into a material's macroscopic behavior. A very popular and effective means of investigating these microscopic interactions is the Ising Model. This model, suggested first by Wilhelm Lenz in 1920 and later expanded by Ernst Ising in 1925, is based on the assumptions that each molecule in a lattice structure can be represented by its spin value (+l or -1) and that only nearest neighbors contribute to the total interaction energy. The Ising Model, which was initially used in the study of ferromagnetic systems, can now be used to study a variety of physical systems. Some of these include antiferromagnetic crystals, binary alloys, DNA, and lattice gasses. / Department of Physics and Astronomy
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/187195 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Cochran, Christopher S. |
| Contributors | Khatun, Mahfuza |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | ix, 65 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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