Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 42, Nos. 5/6, 1986. p. 727-742.
Using a graphical method we establish the exact equivalence of the partition function of a q-state nonintersecting string (NIS) model on an arbitrary planar, even-valenced, lattice with that of a q2-state Potts model on a related lattice. The NIS model considered in this paper is one in which the vertex weights are expressible as sums of those of basic vertex types, and the resulting Ports model generally has multispin interactions. For the square and Kagom6 lattices this leads to the equivalence of a staggered NIS model with Potts models with anisotropic pair interactions, indicating that these NIS models have a first-order transition for q > 2. For the triangular lattice the NIS model turns out to be the five-vertex model of Wu and Lin and it relates to a Potts model with two- and three-site interactions. The most general model we discuss is an oriented NIS model which contains the six-vertex model and the NIS models of Stroganov and Schultz as special cases.