Evidence for sharper than expected transition between metastable and unstable states

Details Evidence for sharper than expected transition between metastable and unstable states Evidence for sharper than expected transition between metastable and unstable states

2002-01-30

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0201562v1

Physics

Condensed Matter

Statistical Mechanics

Scientific paper

10.1142/S0129183102004005

In mean-field theory, i.e. infinite-range interactions, the transition between metastable and unstable states of a thermodynamic system is sharp. The metastable and the unstable states are separated by a spinodal curve. For systems with short-range interaction the transition between metastable and unstable states has been thought of as gradual. We show evidence, that one can define a sharp border between the two regions. We have analysed the lifetimes of states by considering the relaxation trajectories following a quench. The average lifetimes, as a function of the quench depth into the two-phase region, shows a very sharp drop defining a limit of stability for metastable states. Using the limit of stability we define a line similar to a spinodal in the two-phase region.

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