Spin order and entropy in antiferromagnetic films subjected to magnetic fields

Abstract

Abstract Using systematic effective field theory, we explore the properties of antiferromagnetic films subjected to magnetic and staggered fields that are either mutually aligned or mutually orthogonal. We provide low-temperature series for the entropy density in either case up to two-loop order. Invoking staggered, uniform and sublattice magnetizations of the bipartite antiferromagnet, we investigate the subtle order–disorder phenomena in the spin arrangement, induced by temperature, magnetic and staggered fields—some of which are quite counterintuitive. In the figures we focus on the spin- 1 2 square-lattice antiferromagnet, but our results are valid for any other bipartite two-dimensional lattice.