Abstract
The spectrum of O(
N) invariant two-dimensional non-linear σ models is analyzed for large
N by the methods of Dashen, Hasslacher and Neveu. Calculations to
O(
1
N
)
are carried out and the spectrum is shown to consist solely of
N degenerate massive mesons. This is consistent with strong coupling lattice calculations and indicates that for sufficiently large
N there is no phase transition between the weak and strong coupling regions.