EPJ B Topical Issue: 100 Glorious Years of the Ising Model

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Published on 16 February 2026

Guest Editors: Muktish Acharyya,Yurij Holovatch, Ferenc Iglói

1925 is not only the year of the birth of quantum mechanics, but also an important milestone in statistical physics, since it was in this year that Ernst Ising published his solution to the one-dimensional case of the model that later bore his name. In later years, the Ising model became indispensable in the theoretical description of phase transitions and plays a central role in many questions and problems arising in interacting many-body systems. The model itself is the result of a thorough simplification that contains the elements essential for describing ferromagnetic ordering, and which, due to its simplicity, is suitable for theoretical and mathematical investigations. The importance of the Ising model from a scientific point of view is also due to its interdisciplinary applications. In addition to physics, the Ising model (and some closely related models, such as the Potts model) is of decisive importance in chemistry, biology, and other disciplines far beyond natural sciences.

This special issue published in EPJ B deals with the problems associated with the Ising model, focusing on current applications of the model and presenting the most important results achieved. The articles submitted forthe special issue are basically of two types. One part of them – ten studies – falls into the category of thematic reviews and aims to present the basic results of the given problem area. The other part of the articles – ten manuscripts – are so-called research articles and contain the latest research results.

All articles are available here and are freely accessible until 15 April 2026. For further information read the Editorial.