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Non-mean-field effects in systems with long-range forces in competition.
1Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, 13560-970 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Systems with competing long-range forces exhibit unique modulated phases, distinct from those with monotonic potentials. These systems transition between ordered phases via first-order transitions, showing potential for long-lived metastability.
Area of Science:
- Statistical Mechanics
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Systems with long-range forces exhibit complex equilibrium behaviors.
- Understanding phase transitions in such systems is crucial for various physical phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the canonical equilibrium of systems with competing long-range forces.
- To characterize the emergent modulated phases and their transitions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of canonical equilibrium in systems with modulated interaction potentials.
- Comparison with systems exhibiting monotonic potentials.
Main Results:
- Competing long-range forces lead to modulated phases at the system scale.
- These modulated phases differ structurally from mean-field and disordered phases found with monotonic potentials.
- Systems transition between ordered phases via first-order phase transitions with increasing temperature.
- Both mean-field and modulated phases can be stable, even at zero temperature.
- Long-range interactions induce metastability with extremely long time scales.
Conclusions:
- The presence of competing long-range forces fundamentally alters system behavior, introducing novel modulated phases.
- Phase transitions in these systems are distinct and can result in long-lived metastable states.
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