Work

Ergodicity Breaking and Scaling Relations for Finite-Time First-Order Phase Transition

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hysteresis and metastable states are typical features associated with ergodicity breaking in the first-order phase transition. We explore the scaling relations of nonequilibrium thermodynamics in finite-time first-order phase transitions. Using the Curie-Weiss model as an example, for large systems we find the excess work scales as v^{2/3} when the magnetic field is quenched at a finite rate v across the phase transition. We further reveal a crossover in the scaling of the excess work from v^{2/3} to v when downsizing the system. Our study elucidates the interplay between the finite-time dynamics and the finite-size effect, which leads to different scaling behaviors of the excess work with or without ergodicity breaking.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.134.177101

Authors: Yu-Xin Wu, Jin-Fu Chen, H. T. Quan

Institutions: Peking University, Leiden University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Awards: G4728764223, G53182540, G5907061266