A Surface Effect on a One-Dimensional Competitive System: Free Domain-Wall Structures Induced by a Free-Surface

Abstract

Some one-dimensional classical systems with competitive interactions show quite complex ground-state phase-diagrams, in which infinitely many phases exist. A free-surface effect on the ground-state structures of one of such systems is discussed. A direct numerical method is applied to evaluate the ground-state structure of the semi-infinite system. We pay attention to the area near the phase boundary between a non-uniform modulated phase and a uniform phase. The free-surface induces domain-wall structures. The domain-wall may be free from the free surface in some parameter region although it is usually bound near the surface.