Evidence for sharper than expected transition between metastable and unstable states
We have analyzed the lifetimes of states by considering the relaxation trajectories following a quench. The average lifetimes, as a function of the quench depth into the two-phase region, shows a very sharp drop defining a limit of stability for metastable states. Using the limit of stability we define a line similar to a spinodal in the two-phase region.
spinodal first order phase transition nucleation relaxation path statistics ising model monte carlo simulation