Correlation Inequalities for the Uniform 8-Vertex Model and the Toric Code Model

Abstract

We elucidate connections between four models in statistical physics and probability theory: (1) the toric code model of Kitaev, (2) the uniform eight-vertex model, (3) random walk on a hypercube, and (4) a classical Ising model with four-body interaction. As a consequence of our analysis (and of the GKS-inequalities for the Ising model) we obtain correlation inequalities for the toric code model and the uniform eight-vertex model.