INHOMOGENEITY EFFECTS IN QUANTUM SPIN SYSTEMS
Inhomogeneity effects in quantum spin systems are studied by quantum Monte Carlo methods. In particular, the ground-state and thermodynamic properties of diluted S = 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets on the square lattice and S = 1 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains with open boundaries are investigated. Methodological problems which are inherent in inhomogeneous systems are are also described.