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arXiv · 1201.3420

Understanding critical behavior in the framework of the extended equilibrium fluctuation theorem

L. Velazquez·S. Curilef
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Abstract

Recently (arXiv:0910.2870), we have derived a fluctuation theorem for systems in thermodynamic equilibrium compatible with anomalous response functions, e.g. the existence of states with \textit{negative heat capacities} $C<0$. In this work, we show that the present approach of the fluctuation theory introduces new insights in the understanding of \textit{critical phenomena}. Specifically, the new theorem predicts that the environmental influence can radically affect critical behavior of systems, e.g. to provoke a suppression of the divergence of correlation length $ξ$ and some of its associated phenomena as spontaneous symmetry breaking. Our analysis reveals that while response functions and state equations are \emph{intrinsic properties} for a given system, critical behaviors are always \emph{relative phenomena}, that is, their existence crucially depend on the underlying environmental influence.

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L. Velazquez, S. Curilef. 2012-01-17. Understanding critical behavior in the framework of the extended equilibrium fluctuation theorem. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-5468%2F2011%2F06%2Fp06021

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