Spinodal slowing down and scaling in a holographic model

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamics near spinodal points in a holographic model, confirming critical slowing down and scaling behavior, and extends the analysis to second-order transitions and crossovers.

Contribution

It provides the first quantitative analysis of critical slowing down and scaling near spinodal points in a holographic model, including the onset of the scaling regime.

Findings

Confirmed critical slowing down near spinodal points.

Quantified the scaling behavior close to the spinodal.

Determined the start of the scaling regime during slow temperature changes.

Abstract

The dynamics of first-order phase transitions in strongly coupled systems are relevant in a variety of systems, from heavy ion collisions to the early universe. Holographic theories can be used to model these systems, with fluctuations usually suppressed. In this case the system can come close to a spinodal point where theory and experiments indicate that the the behaviour should be similar to a critical point of a second-order phase transition. We study this question using a simple holographic model and confirm that there is critical slowing down and scaling behaviour close to the spinodal point, with precise quantitative estimates. In addition, we determine the start of the scaling regime for the breakdown of quasistatic evolution when the temperature of a thermal bath is slowly decreased across the transition. We also extend the analysis to the dynamics of second-order phase transitions and strong crossovers.