On Boundary Correlations in Planar Ashkin–Teller Models

Abstract We generalize the switching lemma of Griffiths, Hurst, and Sherman to the random current representation of the Ashkin–Teller model. We then use it together with properties of two-dimensional topology to derive linear relations for multipoint boundary spin correlations and bulk order–disorder correlations in planar models. We also show that the same linear relations are satisfied by products of Pfaffians. As a result, a clear picture arises in the noninteracting case of two independent Ising models where multipoint correlation functions are given by Pfaffians and determinants of their respective two-point functions. This gives a unified treatment of both the classical Pfaffian identities and recent total positivity inequalities for boundary spin correlations in the planar Ising model. We also derive the Simon and Gaussian inequalities for general Ashkin–Teller models with negative four-body coupling constants.