How Does Weiss Molecular Field Theory Model Magnetization Symmetry?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mathematical formulation of magnetization in Weiss Molecular Field Theory, specifically examining the relationship between magnetization and external magnetic field strength. Participants analyze the equation for magnetization and its symmetry properties, exploring the implications of changing the sign of the magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation for magnetization, questioning the symmetry property stated in the textbook, specifically the relationship ##m(h,T) = -m(-h,T)##.
  • Another participant points out the presence of two instances of ##m## in the equation, questioning the dependence on temperature and the meaning of the two ##m##s.
  • Some participants express confusion about whether the ##m## on both sides of the equation refers to the same quantity, suggesting that it may be recursive.
  • A later reply discusses the invariance of the solution to the orientation of the spin measurement axis, arguing that changing ##h## to ##-h## should result in a sign change of the magnetization but not its amplitude.
  • One participant derives that if ##m## is a solution, then ##-m## is also a solution when both ##m## and ##h## change sign, supporting the symmetry property in question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the interpretation of the magnetization equation and whether the two instances of ##m## are the same. There is no consensus on the implications of the symmetry property or the correct interpretation of the temperature dependence.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence of ##\beta## on temperature, but the exact relationship between ##m## and temperature remains unclear. The discussion highlights the complexity of the mathematical relationships involved without resolving the ambiguities.

MathematicalPhysicist
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This question is more about the maths than the physics.

So I am reading the textbook by Bergersen and Plischke, and they get the following:

$$m= \tanh [ \beta (qJm+h)]$$

where ##m## is the magnetization, ##q## is the number of nearest neighbours of site ##0##, ##J## and ##h##are the coefficients in the Hamiltonian: ##H = -J\sum_{<ij>} \sigma_i \sigma_j -h \sum_i \sigma_i##;

For the question, they write that ##m(h,T) ## satisfies: ##m(h,T) = -m(-h,T)##;
but I tried to showed this and I didn't succeed.

Here's my attempt:

$$-m(-h,T) = -\tanh [ \beta(-qJm(-h,T)-h) ] = m(-h,T)$$

I used the fact that ##\tanh(-x) = -\tanh(x)##.

Am I wrong?
Did they mean something else here?

Thanks.
 
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In your original expression for [itex]m[/itex] is seems it is a function of [itex]q,J, \beta ,h[/itex] and there is also another [itex]m[/itex] inside this expression. Why are there two m's? And I also don't see the T dependence from your statement [itex]m \rightarrow m(h,T)[/itex], either in your m expression or in the Hamiltonian, unless it's somehow derived from J.
 
DeathbyGreen said:
In your original expression for [itex]m[/itex] is seems it is a function of [itex]q,J, \beta ,h[/itex] and there is also another [itex]m[/itex] inside this expression. Why are there two m's? And I also don't see the T dependence from your statement [itex]m \rightarrow m(h,T)[/itex], either in your m expression or in the Hamiltonian, unless it's somehow derived from J.
The ##m## in the LHS and the one in the RHS are the same or at least that's what I think is the case.

As for the ##T## dependence, as is well known in statistical mechanics textbooks we denote by ##\beta := \frac{1}{k_B T}## where ##k_B## is Boltzmann constant and ##T## is the temperature.
 
Its confusing to think about if it is the same m on both sides. But maybe they mean:
[itex] -m(-h,T) = -\tanh(\beta[qJ(-m(-h,T))-h]) = -\tanh(-\beta[qJm(-h,T)+h])=\tanh(\beta[qJm(-h,T)+h])=m(h,T,m(-h,T))[/itex]

In other words, the equality is [itex]-m(-h,T,m(-h,T))=m(h,T,m(-h,T))[/itex]
 
DeathbyGreen said:
Its confusing to think about if it is the same m on both sides. But maybe they mean:
[itex] -m(-h,T) = -\tanh(\beta[qJ(-m(-h,T))-h]) = -\tanh(-\beta[qJm(-h,T)+h])=\tanh(\beta[qJm(-h,T)+h])=m(h,T,m(-h,T))[/itex]

In other words, the equality is [itex]-m(-h,T,m(-h,T))=m(h,T,m(-h,T))[/itex]
Seems so, thanks.

Quite recursive here.
 
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The choice of the orientation of the axis along which spin is measured is arbitrary. Therefore, the solution should be invariant to that choice of orientation. Changing ##h## to ##-h## corresponds to inverting which spin state is the ground state and which is the excited state, so the magnetization should change sign, but not amplitude.

If ##m## is a solution of
$$
m= \tanh [ \beta (qJm+h)]
$$
then let ##\bar{m}## be the result when both ##m## and ##h## change sign:
$$
\begin{align*}
\bar{m} &= \tanh [ \beta (qJ(-m)-h)] \\
&= \tanh [ -\beta (qJm+h)] \\
&= -m
\end{align*}
$$
which is consistent with the assumption that ##-m## is a solution to the equation when the substitution ##h \rightarrow -h## is made, so ##-m(-h,T) = m(h,T)##.
 
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