arXiv · nlin/0601045
Abrupt transition in a sandpile model
Abstract
We present a fixed energy sandpile (FES) model which, by increasing the initial energy,undergoes, at the level of individual configurations, a discontinuous transition.The model is obtained by modifying the toppling procedure in the BTW rules: the energy transfer from a toppling site takes place only to neighbouring sites with less energy (negative gradient constraint) and with a time ordering (asynchronous). The model is minimal in the sense that removing either of the two above mentioned constraints (negative gradient or time ordering) the abrupt transition goes over to a continuous transition as in the usual BTW case. Therefore the proposed model offers an unique possibility to explore at the microscopic level the basic mechanisms underlying discontinuous transitions.
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Y. F. Contoyiannis, F. K. Diakonos. 2006-01-21. Abrupt transition in a sandpile model. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.73.031303
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