The microscopic model for the magnetic subsystem in HoNi2B2C

We demonstrate that the system of localized magnetic moments in HoNi$_2$B$_2$C can be described by the 4-positional clock model. This model, at a proper choice of the coupling constants, yields several metamagnetic phases in magnetic field at zero temperature in full agreement with the experimental phase diagram. The model incorporates couplings between not nearest neighbors in the direction perpendicular to the ferromagnetic planes. The same model leads to a c-modulated magnetic phase near the Curie temperature. The theoretical value of the modulation wave-vector agrees surprisingly well with that observed by the neutron diffraction experiment without new adjustable parameters.Comment: 4 pages, 3 Postscript figures, RevTeX, uses EPSF.st

Thermal melting of density waves on the square lattice

We present the theory of the effect of thermal fluctuations on commensurate "p x p" density wave ordering on the square lattice (p >= 3, integer). For the case in which this order is lost by a second order transition, we argue that the adjacent state is generically an incommensurate striped state, with commensurate p-periodic long range order along one direction, and incommensurate quasi-long-range order along the orthogonal direction. We also present the routes by which the fully disordered high temperature state can be reached. For p=4, and at special commensurate densities, the "4 x 4" commensurate state can melt directly into the disordered state via a self-dual critical point with non-universal exponents.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure