Numerical comparison of two approaches for the study of phase transitions in small systems.
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.
Alves
Nelson A
NA
Departamento de Física e Matemática, FFCLRP Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, CEP 014040-901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. alves@quark.ffclrp.usp.br
Ferrite
Jeaneti P N
JP
Hansmann
Ulrich H E
UH