Exact solution of the $SU_{q}(n)$ invariant quantum spin chains

Abstract

The Nested Bethe Ansatz is generalized to open boundary conditions. This is used to find the exact eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the $A_{n-1}$ vertex model with fixed open boundary conditions and the corresponding $SU_{q}(n)$ invariant hamiltonian. The Bethe Ansatz equations obtained are solved in the thermodynamic limit giving the vertex model free energy and the hamiltonian ground state energy including the corresponding boundary contributions.