Density fluctuations and a first-order chiral phase transition in non-equilibrium

TL;DR

This paper investigates how density fluctuations behave during a first-order chiral phase transition in non-equilibrium conditions, revealing divergences in specific heat and charge susceptibilities at spinodal lines.

Contribution

It demonstrates the divergence of thermodynamic susceptibilities during non-equilibrium phase transitions using the NJL model, highlighting spinodal decomposition effects.

Findings

Specific heat diverges at spinodal lines

Charge susceptibilities diverge during non-equilibrium transition

Density fluctuations are enhanced near spinodal points

Abstract

The thermodynamics of a first-order chiral phase transition is considered in the presence of spinodal phase separation using the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model in the mean field approximation. We focus on the behavior of conserved charge fluctuations. We show that in non-equilibrium the specific heat and charge susceptibilities diverge as the system crosses the isothermal spinodal lines.