On the existence of an analytic solution to the 1D Ising model with nearest and next-nearest neighbor interactions in the presence of a magnetic field

To solve the controversy, regarding the existence of an analytic solution to the 1-D Ising model with nearest-neighbor (NN) and next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) interactions in the presence of a magnetic field, we apply the transfer matrix method to solve the 1-D Ising model in the presence of a magnetic field, taking both NN and NNN interactions into account. We show that it is possible to write a transfer matrix only if the number of sites is even. Even in such a case, it is impossible to diagonalize the transfer matrix in an analytic form. Therefore, we employ a numerical method to obtain the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix. Moreover, the heat capacity, magnetization, and magnetic susceptibility versus temperature for different values of the competition factor (the ratio of NNN to NN interactions) are shown.