Classification of phase transitions in small systems

Phys Rev Lett. 2000 Apr 17;84(16):3511-4. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.3511.

Abstract

We present a classification scheme for phase transitions in finite systems like atomic and molecular clusters based on the Lee-Yang zeros in the complex temperature plane. In the limit of infinite particle numbers the scheme reduces to the Ehrenfest definition of phase transitions and gives the right critical indices. We apply this classification scheme to Bose-Einstein condensates in a harmonic trap as an example of a higher order phase transition in a finite system and to small Ar clusters.