We study the effect of interfacial phenomena in two-dimensional perfect and random (or disordered) $q$-state Potts models with continuous phase transitions, using, mainly, Monte Carlo techniques. In particular, for the total interfacial adsorption, t
he critical behavior, including corrections to scaling, are analyzed. The role of randomness is scrutinized. Results are discussed applying scaling arguments and invoking findings for bulk critical properties. In all studied cases, i.e., $q = 3$, $4$, and $q = 8$, the spread of the interfacial adsorption profiles is observed to increase linearly with the lattice size at the bulk transition point.
We study the Blume-Capel model on the square lattice. To allow for wetting and interfacial adsorption, the spins on opposite boundaries are fixed in two different states, +1 and -1, with reduced couplings at one of the boundaries. Using mainly Monte
Carlo techniques, of Metropolis and Wang-Landau type, phase diagrams showing bulk and wetting transitions are determined. The role of the non-boundary state, 0, adsorbed preferably at the interface between -1 and +1 rich regions, is elucidated.
Using (infinite) density matrix renormalization group techniques, ground state properties of antiferromagnetic S=1 Heisenberg spin chains with exchange and single-site anisotropies in an external field are studied. The phase diagram is known to displ
ay a plenitude of interesting phases. We elucidate quantum phase transitions between the supersolid and spin-liquid as well as the spin-liquid and the ferromagnetic phases. Analyzing spin correlation functions in the spin-liquid phase, commensurate and (two distinct) incommensurate regions are identified.
We study Ising ferrimagnets on square lattices with antiferromagnetic exchange couplings between spins of values S=1/2 and S=1 on neighbouring sites, couplings between S=1 spins at next--nearest neighbour sites of the lattice, and a single--site anis
otropy term for the S=1 spins. Using mainly ground state considerations and extensive Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate various aspects of the phase diagram, including compensation points, critical properties, and temperature dependent anomalies. In contrast to previous belief, the next--nearest neighbour couplings, when being of antiferromagnetic type, may lead to compensation points.
We investigate Ising ferrimagnets on square and simple-cubic lattices with exchange couplings between spins of values S=1/2 and S=1 on neighbouring sites and an additional single-site anisotropy term on the S=1 sites. Based mainly on a careful and co
mprehensive Monte Carlo study, we conclude that there is no tricritical point in the two--dimensional case, in contradiction to mean-field predictions and recent series results. However, evidence for a tricritical point is found in the three-dimensional case. In addition, a line of compensation points is found for the simple-cubic, but not for the square lattice.
We study classical Heisenberg antiferromagnets with uniaxial exchange anisotropy and a cubic anisotropy term on simple cubic lattices in an external magnetic field using ground state considerations and extensive Monte Carlo simulations. In addition t
o the antiferromagnetic phase field--induced spin--flop and non--collinear, biconical phases may occur. Phase diagrams and critical as well as multicritical phenomena are discussed. Results are compared to previous findings.
The Binder cumulant at the phase transition of Ising models on square lattices with ferromagnetic couplings between nearest neighbors and with competing antiferromagnetic couplings between next--nearest neighbors, along only one diagonal, is determin
ed using Monte Carlo techniques. In the phase diagram a disorder line occurs separating regions with monotonically decaying and with oscillatory spin--spin correlations. Findings on the variation of the critical cumulant with the ratio of the two interaction strengths are compared to related recent results based on renormalization group calculations.
Using density matrix renormalization group calculations, ground state properties of the spin-1 Heisenberg chain with exchange and single-ion anisotropies in an external field are studied. Our findings confirm and refine recent results by Sengupta and
Batista, Physical Review Letters 99, 217205 (2007) (2007), on the same model applying Monte Carlo techniques. In particular, we present evidence for two types of biconical (or supersolid) and for two types of spin-flop (or superfluid) structures. Basic features of the quantum phase diagram may be interpreted qualitatively in the framework of classical spin models.
Classical Heisenberg antiferromagnets with uniaxial exchange anisotropy and a cubic anisotropy term in a field on simple cubic lattices are studied with the help of ground state considerations and extensive Monte Carlo simulations. Especially, we ana
lyze the role of non-collinear structures of biconical type occurring in addition to the well-known antiferromagnetic and spin-flop structures. Pertinent phase diagrams are determined, and compared to previous findings.
