Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
06:42
Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
Published on: June 8, 2018
9.0K
Phase transitions in the complex plane of physical parameters
Bo-Bo Wei1, Shao-Wen Chen1, Hoi-Chun Po1
1Department of Physics, Centre for Quantum Coherence, and Institute of Theoretical Physics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
Scientific Reports
|June 7, 2014
Summary
Researchers demonstrate observing thermodynamic phase transitions at high temperatures by mapping quantum evolution to complex parameters. This breakthrough allows studying thermodynamics in the complex plane, revealing connections to topological properties.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Statistical Physics
Background:
- Phase transitions occur at low temperatures when a physical parameter crosses a free energy singularity, forming new order.
- At high temperatures, thermal fluctuations disrupt order, making free energy smooth and singularities only appear at unphysical complex parameter values.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the possibility of observing thermodynamic phase transitions at high temperatures.
- To explore the connection between quantum evolution and complex thermodynamic parameters.
Main Methods:
- Equating the quantum evolution of a system in thermal equilibrium with a designed interaction to a partition function of a complex parameter.
- Analyzing the relationship between complex plane phase transitions and topological properties of renormalization group flows.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that quantum evolution can be mapped to a complex parameter, enabling access to complex singularity points.
- Showed that phase transitions in the complex plane can be observed even at high temperatures.
- Established a link between these complex plane phase transitions and the topological properties of renormalization group flows.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a novel method to observe and study thermodynamic phase transitions in the complex plane of physical parameters.
- This approach opens new avenues for exploring thermodynamics beyond the limitations of real physical parameters, particularly at high temperatures.
More Related Videos
06:26Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
6.4K
08:12Author Spotlight: Exploring Light-Driven Chemical Reactions and Energy-Harnessing Devices in Photochemical Research
Published on: February 16, 2024
12.8K
Related Concept Videos
02:31Phase Transitions
19.0K
Whether solid, liquid, or gas, a substance's state depends on the order and arrangement of its particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). Particles in the solid pack closely together, generally in a pattern. The particles vibrate about their fixed positions but do not move or squeeze past their neighbors. In liquids, although the particles are closely spaced, they are randomly arranged. The position of the particles are not fixed—that is, they are free to move past their neighbors to...
19.0K
01:21Phase Transitions
105
A phase transition is the process in which a substance changes from one state of matter to another, like from a solid to a liquid, liquid to gas, or vice versa, at a specific temperature and under given pressure conditions. This change is spontaneous and is affected by alterations in temperature and pressure. These parameters impact the strength of the forces between molecules (intermolecular forces) in the substance.During a phase transition, both the initial and final phases of the substance...
105
01:23Transfer function and Bode Plots-II
1.0K
In the standard form, the transfer function is shown in constant gain, poles/zeros at origin, simple poles/zeros, and quadratic poles/zeros; each contributing uniquely to the system's overall response. The term represents the magnitude of the simple zero:
1.0K
02:39Phase Diagrams
45.5K
A phase diagram combines plots of pressure versus temperature for the liquid-gas, solid-liquid, and solid-gas phase-transition equilibria of a substance. These diagrams indicate the physical states that exist under specific conditions of pressure and temperature and also provide the pressure dependence of the phase-transition temperatures (melting points, sublimation points, boiling points). Regions or areas labeled solid, liquid, and gas represent single phases, while lines or curves represent...
45.5K
01:19Phase Diagram
5.9K
The phase of a given substance depends on the pressure and temperature. Thus, plots of pressure versus temperature showing the phase in each region provide considerable insights into the thermal properties of substances. Such plots are known as phase diagrams. For instance, in the phase diagram for water (Figure 1), the solid curve boundaries between the phases indicate phase transitions (i.e., temperatures and pressures at which the phases coexist).
5.9K
01:24Phase Diagram
225
A phase diagram is a graphical representation of the physical states of a substance under different conditions of temperature and pressure. It shows the boundaries between solid, liquid, and gas phases and the conditions at which these phases coexist in equilibrium. An area in a phase diagram represents a single phase, whereas lines or phase boundaries represent the equilibrium between two phases.In the phase diagram of water, the boundary line between the solid and liquid states illustrates...
225