Non-mean-field effects in systems with long-range forces in competition

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2012 Nov;86(5 Pt 1):051134. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.86.051134. Epub 2012 Nov 26.

Abstract

We investigate the canonical equilibrium of systems with long-range forces in competition. These forces create a modulation in the interaction potential and modulated phases appear at the system scale. The structure of these phases differentiate this system from monotonic potentials, where only the mean-field and disordered phases exist. With increasing temperature, the system switches from one ordered phase to another through a first-order phase transition. Both mean-field and modulated phases may be stable, even at zero temperature, and the long-range nature of the interaction will lead to metastability characterized by extremely long time scales.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Stress, Mechanical*
  • Thermodynamics*