Models for the description of uniaxially modulated materials

Abstract

Models which allow an explicit application to structurally modulated substances are reviewed within the frame of a symmetry-based approach starting from discrete lattice theory. Focus is set on models formulated in terms of local variables assigned to discrete crystallographic units (unit cells or parts of them). Especially considered are symmetry-based pseudo spin models. Methods are discussed which permit the handling of the statistical mechanics of such models, the translation of model calculation results to a form allowing the prediction of experimental data, and the theoretical determination of point defect influences.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, RevTex, to be published in Ferroelectric