Low-temperature static and dynamic behavior of the two-dimensional easy-axis Heisenberg model

We apply the self-consistent harmonic approximation (SCHA) to study static and dynamic properties of the two-dimensional classical Heisenberg model with easy-axis anisotropy. The static properties obtained are magnetization and spin wave energy as functions of temperature, and the critical temperature as a function of the easy-axis anisotropy. We also calculate the dynamic correlation functions using the SCHA renormalized spin wave energy. Our analytical results, for both static properties and dynamic correlation functions, are compared to numerical simulation data combining cluster-Monte Carlo algorithms and spin dynamics. The comparison allows us to conclude that far below the transition temperature, where the SCHA is valid, spin waves are responsible for all relevant features observed in the numerical simulation data; topological excitations do not seem to contribute appreciably. I;or temperatures closer to the transition temperature, there are differences between the dynamic correlation functions from SCHA theory and spin dynamics; these may be due to the presence of domain walls and solitons. [S0163-1829(99)03809-6].