Classification of phase transitions in small systems

We present a classification scheme for phase transitions in finite systems like atomic and molecular clusters based on the Lee-Yang zeros in the complex temperature plane. In the limit of infinite particle numbers the scheme reduces to the Ehrenfest definition of phase transitions and gives the righ...

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Veröffentlicht in:Physical review letters 2000-04, Vol.84 (16), p.3511-3514
Hauptverfasser: Borrmann, P, Mulken, O, Harting, J
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:We present a classification scheme for phase transitions in finite systems like atomic and molecular clusters based on the Lee-Yang zeros in the complex temperature plane. In the limit of infinite particle numbers the scheme reduces to the Ehrenfest definition of phase transitions and gives the right critical indices. We apply this classification scheme to Bose-Einstein condensates in a harmonic trap as an example of a higher order phase transition in a finite system and to small Ar clusters.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.3511