Equation of state and coarse grained free energy for matrix models
arXiv:hep-th/9609019 · doi:10.1016/S0550-3213(96)00670-0
Abstract
We investigate phase transitions in three dimensional scalar matrix models, with special emphasis on complex $2 \times 2$ matrices. The universal equation of state for weak first order phase transitions is computed. We also study the coarse grained free energy. Its dependence on the coarse graining scale gives a quantitative criterion for the validity of the standard treatment of bubble nucleation.
Latex, 48 pages