Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3511–3514 (2000)Classification of Phase Transitions in Small SystemsReceived 14 October 1999; published in the issue dated 17 April 2000 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. © 2000 The American Physical Society URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.3511
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.3511
PACS:
05.70.Fh, 64.60.Cn, 64.70.-p
|
|
About | Terms and Conditions | Subscriptions | Search | Help
Use of the American Physical Society websites and journals implies that the user has read and agrees to our Terms and Conditions and any applicable Subscription Agreement. Physical Review®, Physical Review Letters®, Reviews of Modern Physics®, and Physical Review Special Topics® are trademarks of the American Physical Society.