2000/06/13 by Haye Hinrichsen, Hinrichsen, Haye
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) #cond-mat.stat-mech
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.cond-mat/0006212
9 pages, RevTeX, 8 encapsulated postscript figures
arxiv created 2000/06/13 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30
We demonstrate that first-order phase transitions in 1+1-dimensional nonequilibrium systems with fluctuating ordered phases are impossible, provided that there are no additional conservation laws, long-range interactions, macroscopic currents, or special boundary conditions. Since minority islands in the ordered phase of such systems can only shrink by short-range interactions, it is impossible to stabilize a fluctuating ordered state. The apparent first-order behavior turns out to be a transient phenomenon, crossing over to a continuous transition after very long time. As examples we consider the triplet creation model 3X->4X, X->O, the annihilation/fission process 2X->3X, 2X->O, as well as spreading on a diffusing background X+Y->2Y, Y->X.