Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics of a two-temperature Ising ring with conserved dynamics

TL;DR

This paper investigates the non-equilibrium behavior of a two-temperature Ising ring with conserved dynamics, revealing complex relaxation and steady-state phenomena through numerical simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed numerical analysis of a two-temperature Ising ring, highlighting novel non-equilibrium phenomena and steady-state regimes not present in equilibrium models.

Findings

Discovery of 'freezing by heating' phenomenon

Identification of complex relaxation dynamics

Observation of crossover between steady-state regimes

Abstract

The statistical mechanics of a one-dimensional Ising model in thermal equilibrium is well-established, textbook material. Yet, when driven far from equilibrium by coupling two sectors to two baths at different temperatures, it exhibits remarkable phenomena, including an unexpected 'freezing by heating.' These phenomena are explored through systematic numerical simulations. Our study reveals complicated relaxation processes as well as a crossover between two very different steady-state regimes.