Year: 2000
Type: article
Abstract: To analyze phase transitions in a nonequilibrium system, we study its grand canonical partition function as a function of complex fugacity. Real and positive roots of the partition function mark phase transitions. This behavior, first found by Yang and Lee under general conditions for equilibrium systems, can also be applied to nonequilibrium phase transitions. We consider a one-dimensional diffusion model with periodic boundary conditions. Depending on the diffusion rates, we find real and positive roots and can distinguish two regions of analyticity, which can be identified with two different phases. In a region of the parameter space, both of these phases coexist. The condensation point can be computed with high accuracy.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Author: Peter F. Arndt
Institution: University of Cologne
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1988050652