Small Thermal Fluctuation on a Large Domain

TL;DR

This paper investigates how small thermal fluctuations influence the growth and percolation of large domains during weak first-order phase transitions, using an effective geometric approach to model subcritical bubbles.

Contribution

It introduces an effective geometry framework to analyze the role of small subcritical bubbles in the percolation process of phase transitions.

Findings

Percolation is driven by growth of large domains facilitated by subcritical bubbles.

Small thermal fluctuations can significantly affect the kinetics of phase transition.

The effective geometry approach clarifies the dynamics of domain growth.

Abstract

Weak first-order phase transitions proceed with percolation of new phase. The kinematics of this process is clarified from the point of view of subcritical bubbles. We examine the effect of small subcritical bubbles around a large domain of asymmetric phase by introducing an effective geometry. The percolation process can be understood as a perpetual growth of the large domain aided by the small subcritical bubbles.