New Universality Classes in One--Dimensional $O(N)$--Invariant Spin--Models with an $n$--Parametric Action

An action with $n$ parameters, which generalizes the $O(N) - R P^{N-1}$ -model, is considered in one dimension for general $N$. We use asymptotic expansion techniques to determine where the model becomes critical and show that for the actions considered there exists a family of hypersurfaces whose asymptotic behaviour determines a one-parameter family of new universality classes. They interpolate between the $O(N)$-vector-model-class and the $R P^{N-1}$-model-class. Furthermore continuum limits are discussed, including the exceptional case $N=2$.