Phase Transitions in the $J_1-J_2$ Ising Model on the Square Lattice*

The $J_1-J_2$ Ising model on the square lattice is one of the simplest classical models to study the effects of competing interactions and the resulting phase transitions. In spite of previous studies, there remains a controversy regarding the nature of the transition into the ``stripe`` phase in this model for $J_2/J_1>0.5$. In this study, we use the Binder cumulant of the order parameter to address this question. We use the Wang-Landau and Metropolis algorithms to simulate the model in the relevant parameter space. From our numerics, we determine that the transition is first-order for $0.5

*Funding/Support: NSF DMR-0803510

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2011.MAR.L18.10