Abstract
In a first-order phase transition two phases can coexist at the critical point. The surface free energy , associated with the interface separating the two phases, is an important parameter for the phenomenology of nucleation in supercooled matter and, more generally, for the whole dynamics of a system undergoing the phase transition. We report on a calculation of the surface tension in quenched QCD on lattices with volumes ×12×2, ×16×2, and ×20×2, as well as on ×16×4 and ×24×4. Our results have been obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation where one half of the lattice is adiabatically brought from one phase to the other by applying a temperature gradient, and where the variation of free energy is calculated at the same time through the average of the action. For lattices, we find on ×16 and ×20 spatial volumes, respectively. On the other hand, the results from lattices with are less well defined and are compatible with a vanishing surface tension. We discuss possible ways to improve the accuracy of the calculation with larger . In particular we propose the use of the Wilson action supplemented with external Polyakov fields as a way to enhance the formation of the interface.
- Received 9 February 1990
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.42.2864
©1990 American Physical Society