Abstract:
Relations between quantum integrable models solvable by the quantum inverse scattering method and some aspects of enumerative combinatorics and partition theory are discussed. The main example is the Heisenberg $XXZ$ spin chain in the limit cases of zero or infinite anisotropy. Form factors and some thermal correlation functions are calculated, and it is shown that the resulting form factors in a special $q$-parametrization are the generating functions for plane partitions and self-avoiding lattice paths. The asymptotic behaviour of the correlation functions is studied in the case of a large number of sites and a moderately large number of spin excitations. For sufficiently low temperature a relation is established between the correlation functions and the theory of matrix integrals.
Bibliography: 125 titles.