Universality in dynamical phase transitions of diffusive systems

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in certain diffusive systems with particle-hole symmetry, the universal scaling functions governing phase transitions are independent of microscopic details and boundary conditions, even far from equilibrium.

Contribution

It reveals the universality of phase transition scaling functions in non-equilibrium diffusive systems with particle-hole symmetry, highlighting their independence from microscopic specifics.

Findings

Universal scaling exponents identified for large deviation functions

Universality persists regardless of boundary conditions

Hydrodynamic approach captures universal behavior far from equilibrium

Abstract

Universality, where microscopic details become irrelevant, takes place in thermodynamic phase transitions. The universality is captured by a singular scaling function of the thermodynamic variables, where the scaling exponents are determined by symmetries and dimensionality only. Universality can persist even for non-equilibrium phase transitions. It implies that a hydrodynamic approach can capture the singular universal scaling function, even far from equilibrium. In particular, we show these results for phase transitions in the large deviation function of the current in diffusive systems with particle-hole symmetry. For such systems, we find the scaling exponents of the universal function and show they are independent of microscopic details as well as boundary conditions.