Metastability within the generalized canonical ensemble

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how a generalized canonical ensemble can convert metastable or unstable states into stable equilibrium states, enabling the study of nonequilibrium phenomena through equilibrium calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a method to transform nonequilibrium states into equilibrium states using a generalized canonical ensemble, providing a new tool for analyzing metastability.

Findings

Generalized canonical ensemble can stabilize metastable states.

Equilibrium calculations in the generalized ensemble reveal properties of nonequilibrium states.

The approach offers a new perspective on metastability and nonequilibrium analysis.

Abstract

We discuss a property of our recently introduced generalized canonical ensemble (J. Stat. Phys. 119 (2005) 1283). We show that this ensemble can be used to transform metastable or unstable (nonequilibrium) states of the standard canonical ensemble into stable (equilibrium) states within the generalized canonical ensemble. Equilibrium calculations within the generalized canonical ensemble can thus be used to obtain information about nonequilibrium states in the canonical ensemble.