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Irreversible phase transitions driven by an oscillatory parameter in a far-from-equilibrium system.
1Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), UNLP, CONICET, CIC (Buenes Aires), Casilla de Correo, 16 Sucursal 4, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. gsaracco@inifta.unlp.edu.ar
Summary
This study explores forest fire dynamics using numerical simulations. We observed phase transitions influenced by external signals, classifying them within the directed percolation universality class.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Ecology
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Forest fire models are crucial for understanding landscape dynamics.
- External factors can significantly influence the behavior of complex systems like forest fires.
- Phase transitions represent critical shifts in system states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic response of a forest-fire model to external harmonic variations.
- To identify and characterize phase transitions induced by periodic external parameters.
- To determine the universality class of these phase transitions.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of a forest-fire model.
- Analysis of second-order irreversible phase transitions.
- Epidemic studies to determine critical exponents.
- Field theoretical calculations.
Main Results:
- Harmonic variation of an external parameter drives second-order irreversible phase transitions.
- The location of these transitions is dependent on the amplitude and period of the input signal.
- Critical exponents align with the universality class of directed percolation.
Conclusions:
- The forest-fire model exhibits phase transitions under periodic external forcing.
- These transitions belong to the directed percolation universality class, as confirmed by multiple methods.
- Understanding these dynamics is key for predicting forest fire behavior and managing ecosystems.