Correlation Functions as Nests of Self-Avoiding Paths

Abstract

We discuss a connection between the XXZ Heisenberg spin chain in the limiting case of zero anisotropy and some aspects of enumerative combinatorics. The representation of the Bethe wave functions in terms of Schur functions allows us to apply the theory of symmetric functions to calculating correlation functions. We provide a combinatorial derivation of the dynamical correlation functions of the projection operator in terms of nests of self-avoiding lattice paths.