Title: Dynamic phase transition theory in PVT systems

Authors: Tian Ma and Shouhong Wang

Issue: Volume 57 (2008), Issue 6, 2861-2890

Abstract: In this article, we initiate a program of research to study dynamic phase transitions in nonlinear sciences. The main objective of this article is two-fold. First, we introduce some general principles on phase transition dynamics, including a new dynamic transition classification scheme, and a Ginzburg-Landau theory for modeling equilibrium phase transitions. Second, we apply the general principles and the recently developed dynamic transition theory to study dynamic phase transitions of physical vapor transport (PVT) systems. In particular, we establish a new time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau model, whose dynamic transition analysis is carried out. The analysis for the PVT systems in this article leads to a few physical predictions, which are otherwise unclear from the physical point of view.