Spinodal-assisted nucleation in the two-dimensional <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>q</mml:mi><mml:mo>−</mml:mo></mml:mrow></mml:math> state Potts model with short-to-long-range interactions

We study homogeneous nucleation in the two-dimensional $q-$state Potts model for $q=3,5,10,20$ and ferromagnetic couplings $J_{ij} \propto \Theta (R - |i-j|)$, by means of Monte Carlo simulations employing heat bath dynamics. Metastability is induced low temperature phase through an instantaneous quench magnetic field coupled to one $q$ spin states. The depth adjusted, depending on value $T$, interaction range $R$, number states $q$, such a way that constant time always obtained. In this setup we analyze crossover between classical compact droplet regime occurring presence short interactions $R \sim 1$, long-range $R\gg 1$ where properties are influenced mean-field spinodal singularity. evaluate metastable susceptibility order parameter as well various critical properties, which along with evolution function $q,T$ then compared theoretical predictions valid large $R$ limit find onset spinodal-assisted nucleation. that, mild dependence values $T$ considered, scaling holds ranges $R\gtrsim 8-10$, signatures pseudo-spinodal already visible remarkably small $R\sim 4-5$. influence singularities occurrence multi-step also discussed.