Numerical comparison of two approaches for the study of phase transitions in small systems

Nelson A. Alves, Jeaneti P. N. Ferrite, and Ulrich H. E. Hansmann
Phys. Rev. E 65, 036110 – Published 11 February 2002
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Abstract

We compare two recently proposed methods for the characterization of phase transitions in small systems. The validity and usefulness of these approaches are studied for the cases of the q=4 and q=5 Potts model, i.e., systems where a thermodynamic limit and exact results exist. Guided by this analysis we then discuss the helix-coil transition in polyalanine, an example of structural transitions in biological molecules.

  • Received 3 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.65.036110

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Nelson A. Alves* and Jeaneti P. N. Ferrite

  • Departamento de Física e Matemática, FFCLRP Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 014040-901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Ulrich H. E. Hansmann

  • Department of Physics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931-1291

  • *Email address: alves@quark.ffclrp.usp.br
  • Email address: jeaneti@dfm.ffclrp.usp.br
  • Email address: hansmann@mtu.edu

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Vol. 65, Iss. 3 — March 2002

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