# Dynamics near a first order phase transition

## TL;DR

This paper explores the non-equilibrium dynamics of systems with first order phase transitions using a dual gravitational model, revealing long-lived phase domains and analyzing their interactions and instabilities.

## Contribution

It introduces a numerical framework for studying the dynamics of phase domains and their collisions in a gravitational dual model, highlighting the longevity of narrow phase domains.

## Key findings

- Long-lived static phase domains even when narrow
- A phenomenological equation for phase domain lifetime
- Insights into domain collisions and instabilities in expanding plasma

## Abstract

We study various dynamical aspects of systems possessing a first order phase transition in their phase diagram. We isolate three qualitatively distinct types of theories depending on the structure of instabilities and the nature of the low temperature phase. The non-equilibrium dynamics is modeled by a dual gravitational theory in 3+1 dimension which is coupled to massive scalar field with self interacting potential. By numerically solving the Einstein-matter equations of motion with various initial configurations, we investigate the structure of the final state arising through coalescence of phase domains. We find that static phase domains, even quite narrow are very long lived and we find a phenomenological equation for their lifetime. Within our framework we also analyze moving phase domains and their collision as well as the effects of spinodal instability and dynamical instability on an expanding boost invariant plasma.