2003/11/12 by D. L. Stein
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #Theoretical and Computational Physics #cond-mat.stat-mech #stochastic dynamics and bifurcation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1023/b:joss.0000013968.89846.1c
published as J. Stat. Phys. v. 114, pp. 1537--1556 (2004). · 21 pages (LaTeX); 11 figures; to appear in J. Stat. Phys
arxiv created 2003/11/12 · openalex publication_date 2004/02/03 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
We introduce an asymmetric classical Ginzburg-Landau model in a bounded interval, and study its dynamical behavior when perturbed by weak spatiotemporal noise. The Kramers escape rate from a locally stable state is computed as a function of the interval length. An asymptotically sharp second-order phase transition in activation behavior, with corresponding critical behavior of the rate prefactor, occurs at a critical length lc, similar to what is observed in symmetric models. The weak-noise exit time asymptotics, to both leading and subdominant orders, are analyzed at all interval lengthscales. The divergence of the prefactor as the critical length is approached is discussed in terms of a crossover from non-Arrhenius to Arrhenius behavior as noise intensity decreases. More general models without symmetry are observed to display similar behavior, suggesting that the presence of a ``phase transition'' in escape behavior is a robust and widespread phenomenon.