Finite-size effects at temperature-driven first-order transitions

Murty S. S. Challa, D. P. Landau, and K. Binder
Phys. Rev. B 34, 1841 – Published 1 August 1986
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Abstract

We study the finite-size effects at a temperature-driven first-order transition by analyzing various moments of the energy distribution. The distribution function for the energy is approximated by the superposition of two weighted Gaussian functions yielding quantitative estimates for various quantities and scaling form for the specific heat. The rounding of the singularities and the shifts in the location of the specific-heat maximum are analyzed and the characteristic features of a first-order transition are identified. The predictions are tested on the ten-state Potts model in two dimensions by carrying out extensive Monte Carlo calculations. The results are found to be in good agreement with theory. Comparison is made with the second-order transitions in the two- and three-state Potts models.

  • Received 18 February 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.34.1841

©1986 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Murty S. S. Challa and D. P. Landau

  • Center for Simulational Physics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602

K. Binder

  • Institute fur Physik, Universitat Mainz, Postfach 3980, D-6500 Mainz, West Germany and Center for Simulational Physics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602

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Issue

Vol. 34, Iss. 3 — 1 August 1986

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