Dynamics of Phase Transitions: The 3D 3-state Potts model

TL;DR

This paper studies the non-equilibrium dynamics of the 3D 3-state Potts model, relevant for QCD phase transitions, focusing on spinodal decomposition and domain formation during quenches.

Contribution

It extends previous 2D studies to 3D, analyzing spinodal decomposition and domain competition in a model relevant for QCD phase transition dynamics.

Findings

Linear theory describes early evolution well in 3D

Competing vacuum domains hinder equilibration

Spinodal decomposition dominates the dynamics

Abstract

In studies of the QCD deconfining phase transition or cross-over by means of heavy ion experiments, one ought to be concerned about non-equilibrium effects due to heating and cooling of the system. In this paper we extend our previous study of Glauber dynamics of 2D Potts models to the 3D 3-state Potts model, which serves as an effective model for some QCD properties. We investigate the linear theory of spinodal decomposition in some detail. It describes the early time evolution of the 3D model under a quench from the disordered into the ordered phase well, but fails in 2D. Further, the quench leads to competing vacuum domains, which are difficult to equilibrate, even in the presence of a small external magnetic field. From our hysteresis study we find, as before, a dynamics dominated by spinodal decomposition. There is evidence that some effects survive in the case of a cross-over. But the infinite volume extrapolation is difficult to control, even with lattices as large as $120^3$.