The discrete Gaussian chain with 1/r n interactions: Exact results

We show that the discrete Gaussian chain with interactionV(r) = 1/(r ²–1/4) is self-dual. At the dual temperaturek _B T = 1 we calculate the height-height correlation function and find that the system is rough. A duality relation is established for the temperature-dependent correlation function exponent. We also consider interactionsV(r)–1/r ⁿ and show that absence of a phase transition for 2 <n < 3 implies absence of a phase transition for 1 <n < 2. All these results have their counterparts in a linear system of charges interacting through a potential which is asymptotically logarithmic (forn = 2) or power-law-like (forn 2.On leave of absence from Chemistry Laboratory III, Universitetsparken 5, 2100 ©, Copenhagen, Denmark.