Optimal real-space renormalisation

Using a continuous class of real-space renormalisation transformations the authors study the critical behaviour of the Ising model in a variety of two-dimensional lattices. They use the simplest possible cluster, with two cells, and a single renormalised coupling. Certain of these transformations-well separated from the majority spin rule-produce sharply more accurate critical properties than the rest. From this study they note an optimal set of conditions which characterise the successful transformations. The optimal transformations appear to have a certain 'locality' property: renormalised couplings beyond nearest neighbour are especially small.