Monte Carlo simulation and theory in Gaussian approximation of a phase transition in the nuclear spin system of a solid

A phase transition of the nuclear spin system of a solid with dipolar and indirect scalar interactions is considered. Monte Carlo simulations of the spin-system isothermic states and of the adiabatic demagnetization process have been made. The structures and energies of the ground states and the values of the critical temperatures, TC, and minimal polarizations, ρC, at which adiabatic demagnetization leads to spontaneous spin ordering, calculated for the GaAs and CaF2 nuclear spin systems, are presented. The results of numerical simulations are compared with the experimental data for CaF2. The Weiss-field model is extended to the case of adiabatic demagnetization. The fluctuations of the local field are taken into account in the Gaussian approximation. It is shown that the proposed approach allows one to obtain asymptotically correct results both for T >> TC and T << TC. The results of the calculations in the Gaussian approximation are compared with the numerical simulations. (10 refs., 9 figs., tab.)