title: Numerical comparison of two approaches for the study of phase transitions in small systems.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Nelson A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Jeaneti P N
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ferrite
authors.forename: Ulrich H E
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Hansmann