Hamiltonian dynamics of the two-dimensional lattice phi^4 model

The Hamiltonian dynamics of the classical $\phi^4$ model on a two-dimensional square lattice is investigated by means of numerical simulations. The macroscopic observables are computed as time averages. The results clearly reveal the presence of the continuous phase transition at a finite energy density and are consistent both qualitatively and quantitatively with the predictions of equilibrium statistical mechanics. The Hamiltonian microscopic dynamics also exhibits critical slowing down close to the transition. Moreover, the relationship between chaos and the phase transition is considered, and interpreted in the light of a geometrization of dynamics.Comment: REVTeX, 24 pages with 20 PostScript figure

Geometry of dynamics, Lyapunov exponents and phase transitions

The Hamiltonian dynamics of classical planar Heisenberg model is numerically investigated in two and three dimensions. By considering the dynamics as a geodesic flow on a suitable Riemannian manifold, it is possible to analytically estimate the largest Lyapunov exponent in terms of some curvature fluctuations. The agreement between numerical and analytical values for Lyapunov exponents is very good in a wide range of temperatures. Moreover, in the three dimensional case, in correspondence with the second order phase transition, the curvature fluctuations exibit a singular behaviour which is reproduced in an abstract geometric model suggesting that the phase transition might correspond to a change in the topology of the manifold whose geodesics are the motions of the system.Comment: REVTeX, 10 pages, 5 PostScript figures, published versio