Walking, weak first-order transitions, and complex CFTs

Dynamics of Weak First Order Phase Transitions.

The dynamics of weak vs. strong first order phase transitions is investigated numerically for 2+1 dimensional scalar field models. It is argued that the change from a weak to a strong transition is itself a (second order) phase transition, with the order parameter being the equilibrium fractional population difference between the two phases at the critical temperature, and the control parameter...

Weak first-order superfluid-solid quantum phase transitions.

We study superfluid-solid zero-temperature transitions in two-dimensional lattice boson-spin models using worm-algorithm Monte Carlo simulations. We observe that such transitions are typically first order with the exception of special high-symmetry points which require fine-tuning in the Hamiltonian parameter space. We present evidence that the superfluid-checkerboard solid and superfluid-valen...

Comment on "Dynamics of weak first order phase transitions"

Weak First Order Phase Transitions in Quantum Ferroelectrics

We discuss the possibility of weak first order transition in the domain of pressure induced phase transitions in a quantum ferroelectric as a consequence of order parameter fluctuations. We start with a semi-microscopic Hamiltonian, where polarization fluctuations are controlled by hydrostatic pressure via strain coupling, which above certain strength of coupling constant, kills second order tr...

Dynamic approach to weak first-order phase transitions

A short-time dynamic approach to weak first-order phase transitions is proposed. Taking the two-dimensional Potts models as examples, from short-time behavior of nonequilibrium relaxational processes starting from high temperature and zero temperature states, pseudo-critical-points K* and K** are determined. A clear difference of the values for K* and K** distinguishes a weak first-order transi...