arXiv · math-ph/0207012
On the formation/dissolution of equilibrium droplets
Abstract
We consider liquid-vapor systems in finite volume $V\subset\R^d$ at parameter values corresponding to phase coexistence and study droplet formation due to a fixed excess $δN$ of particles above the ambient gas density. We identify a dimensionless parameter $Δ\sim(δN)^{(d+1)/d}/V$ and a \textrm{universal} value $\Deltac=\Deltac(d)$, and show that a droplet of the dense phase occurs whenever $Δ>\Deltac$, while, for $Δ<\Deltac$, the excess is entirely absorbed into the gaseous background. When the droplet first forms, it comprises a non-trivial, \textrm{universal} fraction of excess particles. Similar reasoning applies to generic two-phase systems at phase coexistence including solid/gas--where the ``droplet'' is crystalline--and polymorphic systems. A sketch of a rigorous proof for the 2D Ising lattice gas is presented; generalizations are discussed heuristically.
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Marek Biskup, Lincoln Chayes, Roman Kotecky. 2002-07-10. On the formation/dissolution of equilibrium droplets. https://doi.org/10.1209/epl/i2002-00312-y
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