THERMODYNAMICS OF QUANTUM HEISENBERG SPIN CHAINS

Thermodynamic properties of the quantum. Heisenberg spin chains with S = 1/2, 1, and 3/2 are investigated using the transfer-matrix renormal ization-group method. The temperature dependence of the magnetization, susceptibility, specific heat, spin-spin correlation length, and seve ral other physical quantities in a zero or finite applied field are ca lculated and compared. Our data agree well with the Bethe ansatz, exac t diagonalization, and quantum Monte Carlo results and provide further insight into the quantum effects in the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin chains. [S0163-1829(98)00838-8].