Exact solution of rectangular Ising lattice in a uniform external field

Abstract

A method is proposed for exactly calculating the partition function of a rectangular Ising lattice with the presence of a uniform external field. This approach is based on the method of the transfer matrix developed about seventy years ago for the rectangular Ising model in the absence of external field. The basis for the vector space is chosen as the eigenvectors of the diagonal part of the transfer matrix. The matrix elements for the non-diagonal part can be calculated very easily. Then the partition function and thermodynamical quantities can be evaluated. The limit of infinite lattice is discussed.