Pseudo-Critical Dynamics in First-Order Transitions

Abstract

Simple arguments are presented about critical-like phenomena associated with first-order phase transitions in systems described by non-conserved order parameters. A mean field theory gives a type of critical phenomena near the spinodal point, which is determined by a “pseudo-free-energy” and a “pseudo-order-parameter”. Above the spinodal point, the problem is reduced to that of transient phenomena near the marginal case, whose time scale is prescribed by the imaginary part of the pseudo-order-parameter. Effects of fluctuations and possibilities of the observation are briefly discussed.