Abstract
A system of a finite number of harmonically trapped fermions in one dimension, in the presence of a static magnetic field, is studied within the framework of the static fluctuation approximation, for different repulsive and attractive potential strengths. Specifically, the thermodynamic properties of the system (the chemical potential, total energy, heat capacity, and entropy), as well as its magnetic properties (the magnetization and susceptibility), are calculated. It is observed that the system remains in an ordered phase for a small number of particles N, even at high temperatures T. Disorder sets in for large N, even at low T. The effect of the potential strength on the heat capacity is particularly tangible in the region bordering the quantum and classical regimes. The effect of the temperature (representing disorder) is directly opposite to that of the magnetic field (representing order), as expected on basic physical grounds. These features are consistent with experimental results.