Ordering and phase transitions in antiferromagnetic potts models

Monte Carlo simulations and expansion techniques are used to analyze the behavior of antiferromagnetic Potts models and the Ashkin-Teller model. The Monte Carlo data show that the three- and four-state antiferromagnetic Potts models have an ordered low-temperature phase in three dimensions. Evidence is presented for the existence of a novel low-temperature, metastable, glassy "plastic crystal" phase in the four-state antiferromagnetic Potts model in three dimensions. © 1980 The American Physical Society.