title: Nonequilibrium first-order phase transition induced by additive noise.
abstract: We show that a nonequilibrium first-order phase transition can be induced by additive noise. As a model system to study this phenomenon, we consider a nonlinear lattice of overdamped oscillators with both additive and multiplicative noise terms. Predictions from mean field theory are successfully confirmed by numerical simulations. A physical explanation for the mechanism of the transition is given.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zaikin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Ojalvo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schimansky-Geier