title: Interacting classical dimers on the square lattice.
abstract: We study a model of close-packed dimers on the square lattice with a nearest neighbor interaction between parallel dimers. This model corresponds to the classical limit of quantum dimer models [D. S. Rokhsar and S. A. Kivelson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 2376 (1988)]. By means of Monte Carlo and transfer matrix calculations, we show that this system undergoes a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition separating a low temperature ordered phase where dimers are aligned in columns from a high temperature critical phase with continuously varying exponents. This is understood by constructing the corresponding Coulomb gas, whose coupling constant is computed numerically. We also discuss doped models and implications on the finite-temperature phase diagram of quantum dimer models.
authors.affiliation: Service de Physique Théorique (URA 2306 of CNRS), CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alet
authors.forename: Jesper Lykke
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.forename: Grégoire
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Misguich
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pasquier
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mila
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Troyer