The \(N\)-clock model: variational analysis for fast and slow divergence rates of \(N\) (Q2154996)

The authors study a nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic classical spin system on the square lattice in which the spin field is constrained to take values in a discretization of the unit circle consisting of \(N\) equi-spaced vectors, also known as the \(N\)-clock model. The results in this paper concern a related problem regarding the behavior of low-energy states of the two systems in the discrete-to-continuum variational analysis as the lattice spacing vanishes and \(N\) diverges simultaneously. The authors find a fast rate of divergence of \(N\) with respect to the lattice spacing for which the \(N\)-clock model has the same discrete-to-continuum variational limit as the classical \(XY\) model (also known as planar rotator model), in particular concentrating energy on topological defects of dimension 0. They prove the existence of a slow rate of divergence of \(N\) at which the coarse-grain limit does not detect topological defects, but it is instead a bounded variation [\textit{L. Ambrosio} et al., Functions of bounded variation and free discontinuity problems. Oxford: Clarendon Press (2000; Zbl 0957.49001)]-total variation.