S ep 1 99 6 Repulsive particles on a two - dimensional lattice

The problem of finding the minimum-energy configuration of particles on a lattice, subject to a generic short-ranged repulsive interaction, is studied analytically. The study is relevant to charge ordered states of interacting fermions, as described by the spinless Falicov–Kimball model. For a range of particle density including the half-filled case, it is shown that the minimum-energy states coincide with the large–U neutral ground state ionic configurations of the Falicov–Kimball model, thus providing a characterization of the latter as " most homogeneous " ionic arrangements. These obey hierarchical rules, leading to a sequence of phases described by the Farey tree. For lower densities, a new family of minimum-energy configurations is found, having the novel property that they are aperiodic even when the particle density is a rational number. In some cases there occurs local phase separation, resulting in an inherent sensitivity of the ground state to the detailed form of the interaction potential.