18 research outputs found
Path Integral approach to nonequilibrium potentials in multiplicative Langevin dynamics
We present a path integral formalism to compute potentials for nonequilibrium
steady states, reached by a multiplicative stochastic dynamics. We develop a
weak-noise expansion, which allows the explicit evaluation of the potential in
arbitrary dimensions and for any stochastic prescription. We apply this general
formalism to study noise-induced phase transitions. We focus on a class of
multiplicative stochastic lattice models and compute the steady state phase
diagram in terms of the noise intensity and the lattice coupling. We obtain,
under appropriate conditions, an ordered phase induced by noise. By computing
entropy production, we show that microscopic irreversibility is a necessary
condition to develop noise-induced phase transitions. This property of the
nonequilibrium stationary state has no relation with the initial stages of the
dynamical evolution, in contrast with previous interpretations, based on the
short-time evolution of the order parameter.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Final version accepted for publication in EP
Metastable anisotropy orientation of nematic quantum Hall fluids
We analyze the experimental observation of metastable anisotropy resistance
orientation at half filled quantum Hall fluids by means of a model of a quantum
nematic liquid in an explicit symmetry breaking potential. We interpret the
observed ``rotation'' of the anisotropy axis as a process of nucleation of
nematic domains and compute the nucleation rate within this model. By comparing
with experiment, we are able to predict the critical radius of nematic bubbles,
. Each domain contains about electrons.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, final version as will appear in PR