Classification of phase transitions in small systems
Statistical Mechanics
2009-10-31 v5 Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Abstract
We present a classification scheme for phase transitions in finite systems like atomic and molecular clusters based on the Lee-Yang zeros in the complex temperature plane. In the limit of infinite particle numbers the scheme reduces to the Ehrenfest definition of phase transitions and gives the right critical indices. We apply this classification scheme to Bose-Einstein condensates in a harmonic trap as an example of a higher order phase transitions in a finite system and to small Ar clusters.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/9909184,
title = {Classification of phase transitions in small systems},
author = {Peter Borrmann and Oliver Muelken and Jens Harting},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/9909184},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
12 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett