Thiele_2019_New_J._Phys._21_123021.pdf (1.59 MB)
Download fileFirst order phase transitions and the thermodynamic limit
journal contribution
posted on 2019-11-25, 14:19 authored by Uwe Thiele, Tobias Frohoff-Hülsmann, Sebastian Engelnkemper, Edgar Knobloch, Andrew ArcherAndrew ArcherWe consider simple mean field continuum models for first order liquid-liquid
demixing and solid-liquid phase transitions and show how the Maxwell
construction at phase coexistence emerges on going from finite-size closed
systems to the thermodynamic limit. The theories considered are the
Cahn-Hilliard model of phase separation, which is also a model for the
liquid-gas transition, and the phase field crystal model of the solid-liquid
transition. Our results show that states comprising the Maxwell line depend
strongly on the mean density with spatially localized structures playing a key
role in the approach to the thermodynamic limit.
Funding
National Science Foundation (USA) under grants DMS-1613132 and DMS-1908891
EPSRC under grant EP/P015689/1
History
School
- Science
Department
- Mathematical Sciences