Winding Number Transitions in the Mottola-Wipf Model on a Circle

TL;DR

This paper investigates winding number transitions in a 1+1 dimensional model on a circle, finding that such transitions remain first order despite the topology, and demonstrates a general investigative procedure.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of winding number transitions in the Mottola-Wipf model on a circle and shows these transitions are inherently first order.

Findings

Transitions remain first order on a circle

Demonstrates a procedure for studying such transitions

Provides insights into topological effects on phase transitions

Abstract

Winding number transitions from quantum to classical behavior are studied in the case of the {1+1} dimensional Mottola-Wipf model with the space coordinate on a circle for exploring the possibility of obtaining transitions of second order. The model is also studied as a prototype theory which demonstrates the procedure of such investigations. In the model at hand we find that even on a circle the transitions remain those of first order.