Lattice model (physics)
From Free net encyclopedia
In physics, a lattice model is a physical model that is not defined on a continuum, but on a lattice, which is a graph or an n-complex approximating spacetime or space. The lattice is translationally invariant if it has translational symmetry and the primitive cell contains a finite number of nodes.
In condensed matter physics, the atoms of a crystal automatically form a lattice and this is one application of lattice theory.
See Ising model, XY model.
Another is as an approximation to a continuum theory, either to give an ultraviolet cutoff to the theory to prevent divergences or to perform numerical computations.
See QCD lattice models.
Numerical computations for partial differential equations are lattice models because computers only work with discrete data.
See scaling limit.