Finite-Size Scaling Studies of Reaction-Diffusion Systems, Part I: Periodic Boundary Conditions

The finite-size scaling function and the leading corrections for the single species 1D coagulation model $(A + A \rightarrow A)$ and the annihilation model $(A + A \rightarrow \emptyset)$ are calculated. The scaling functions are universal and independent of the initial conditions but do depend on the boundary conditions. A similarity transformation between the two models is derived and used to connect the corresponding scaling functions.