Thermodynamic limit of spin systems on random graphs

Abstract

We utilize the graphon—a continuous mathematical object which represents the limit of convergent sequences of dense graphs—to formulate a general, continuous description of quantum spin systems in thermal equilibrium when the average coordination number grows extensively in the system size. Specifically, we derive a closed set of coupled nonlinear Fredholm integral equations which governs the properties of the system. The graphon forms the kernel of these equations, and their solution yields exact expressions for the macroscopic observables in the system in the thermodynamic limit. We analyze these equations for both quantum and classical spin systems, recovering known results and providing analytical solutions for a range of more complex cases. We supplement this with controlled, finite-size numerical calculations using Monte Carlo and tensor network methods, showing their convergence towards our analytical results with increasing system size. Published by the American Physical Society 2024