Dynamic Approach to Weak First Order Phase Transitions

Abstract

A short-time dynamic approach to weak first order phase transitions is proposed. Taking the 2-dimensional Potts models as examples, from short-time behaviour of non-equilibrium relaxational processes starting from high temperature and zero temperature states,x pseudo critical points K^{*} and K^{**} are determined. A clear difference of the values for K^{*} and K^{**} distinguishes a weak first order transition from a second order one. At the pseudo critical points, pseudo critical exponents can be estimated.

9 pages with 4 postscript figures included