Mapping all classical spin models to a lattice gauge theory

Understand

In our recent work [Phys.

• Rev.
• Lett.
• 102, 230502 (2009)] we showed that the partition function of all classical spin models, including all discrete standard statistical models and all Abelian discrete lattice gauge theories (LGTs), can be expressed as a special instance of the partition function of a 4-dimensional pure LGT with gauge group Z_2 (4D Z_2 LGT).