An exactly solvable model of generalized spin ladder

A detailed study of an S = ½ spin ladder model is given. The ladder consists of plaquettes formed by nearest-neighbor rungs with all possible SU(2)-invariant interactions. For properly chosen coupling constants, the model is shown to be integrable in the sense that the quantum Yang-Baxter equation holds and one has an infinite number of conserved quantities. The R-matrix and L-operator associated with the model Hamiltonian are given in a limiting case. It is shown that after a simple transformation, the model can be solved via a Bethe ansatz. The phase diagram of the ground state is exactly derived using the Bethe ansatz equation.