Phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of the antiferromagnetic Potts model on a face-centered cubic lattice

Abstract

Using the Monte Carlo method we investigate the phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of magnetic structures with noncollinear directions of magnetic moments corresponded to antiferromagnetic q=4 Potts model on a face-centered cubic lattice. Monte Carlo simulations are performed on lattices with linear sizes L=20÷44. Thermodynamic parameters: the order parameter mAF, susceptibility χ, internal energy U, and specific heat C are evaluated for all studied systems. By employing the fourth order Binder cumulant method, a first order transition is shown to be occurred in the model.