Non-mean-field effects in systems with long-range forces in competition

TL;DR

This paper studies systems with competing long-range forces, revealing complex modulated phases, phase transitions, and metastability phenomena that differ from traditional mean-field models.

Contribution

It introduces the effects of long-range force competition on phase structures, including modulated phases and metastability, extending understanding beyond monotonic potential systems.

Findings

Presence of modulated phases at the system scale

First-order phase transitions between ordered phases

Metastability with extremely long time scales

Abstract

We investigate the canonical equilibrium of systems with long-range forces in competition. These forces create a modulation in the interaction potential and modulated phases appear at the system scale. The structure of these phases differentiate this system from monotonic potentials, where only the mean-field and disordered phases exist. With increasing temperature, the system switches from one ordered phase to another through a first-order phase transition. Both mean-field and modulated phases may be stable, even at zero temperature, and the long-range nature of the interaction will lead to metastability characterized by extremely long time scales.