Double cluster swapping for spin models: Pfaffian relations and sharpness

Abstract: We introduce and study a new geometric representation for general classical spin models. It consists of two coupled percolation configurations that are the joint FK (random cluster) representation of the Ginibre rotation of two independent copies of the spin model, and can be viewed as an extension of Sheffield's cluster swapping defined in the context of height functions. Our approach combines the advantages of the random current and FK representations of the Ising model: it provides a percolation interpretation for various truncated correlation functions and at the same time satisfies the FKG inequality (for a large subclass of models). We highlight its strength and versatility by establishing two very different results. We first prove the converse of the classical fact that boundary multi-point correlation functions of planar Ising models are given by Pfaffians of the two-point functions. Indeed, we show that if a general spin model on a general graph satisfies the Pfaffian relations, then up to natural local modifications it must actually be an Ising model on a planar graph. In particular, the algebraic Pfaffian relations imply the topological feature of planarity. Our second application is a proof of sharpness of the phase transition for a class of spin models first considered by Ellis, Monroe and Newman, which we do by generalising the celebrated argument of Duminil-Copin and Tassion, replacing the use of the random current with our new representation.