Replica analysis of the p-spin interaction Ising spin-glass model

The thermodynamics of the infinite-range Ising spin glass with p-spin interactions in the presence of an external magnetic field h is investigated analytically using the replica method. We give emphasis to the analysis of the transition between the replica symmetric and the one-step replica symmetry breaking regimes. In particular, we derive analytical conditions for the onset of the continuous transition, as well as for the location of the tricritical point at which the transition between those two regimes becomes discontinuous. (author)