Dynamical phase coexistence in the Fredrickson-Andersen model

TL;DR

This paper investigates a first-order dynamical phase transition in the Fredrickson--Andersen model by constructing a related spin system, analyzing its properties numerically, and comparing results with theoretical predictions to understand phase coexistence.

Contribution

The authors develop a two-dimensional spin system that reproduces the dynamical large deviations of the FA model and analyze it numerically, providing insights into phase coexistence phenomena.

Findings

Exponential divergence of susceptibility at phase coexistence

Quantitative agreement with finite-size scaling theory

A simple interfacial model reproduces FA model behavior at coexistence

Abstract

We analyse a first-order dynamical phase transition that takes place in the Fredrickson--Andersen (FA) model. We construct a two-dimensional spin system whose thermodynamic properties reproduce the dynamical large deviations of the FA model and we analyse this system numerically, comparing our results with finite-size scaling theory. This allows us to rationalise recent results for the FA model, including the exponential divergence of its susceptibility at phase coexistence. We also discuss a simple interfacial model that reproduces quantitatively the behaviour of the FA model at coexistence.