Abstract : Spin models are lattice models that describe magnetic properties of materials. In this talk we will examine a 2-dimensional planar spin model (known as the J1-J2-J3 model) which exhibits frustration. Frustration is the phenomenon due to conflicting interatomic ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interactions that prevent the energy of every pair of interacting spins to be simultaneously minimized. The frustration mechanism leads to complex geometric patterns in the material. We study these complex geometric patterns by carrying out a discrete-to-continuum variational analysis as the lattice spacing tends to zero, finding the energetic regime for which many chiralphases can coexist. In particular, we will show that the surface tension between the chiral phases is captured by a continuum energy obtained by suitably selecting solutions to the eikonal equation. The results presented in the seminar are based on works in collaboration with M. Cicalese and M. Forster.

Keywords : Γ-convergence; frustrated spin systems; chirality transitions; Aviles-Giga functional; eikonal equation