title: Thermodynamics of entropy-driven phase transformations.
abstract: Thermodynamic properties of one-dimensional lattice models exhibiting entropy-driven phase transformations are discussed in quantum and classical regimes. Motivated by the multistability of compounds exhibiting photoinduced phase transitions, we consider systems with asymmetric, double, and triple well on-site potential. One finds that among a variety of regimes, quantum versus classical, discrete versus continuum, a key feature is asymmetry distinguished as a "shift" type and "shape" type in limiting cases. The behavior of the specific heat indicates one phase transformation in a "shift" type and a sequence of two phase transformations in "shape"-type systems. Future analysis in higher dimensions should allow us to identify which of these entropy-driven phase transformations would evolve into phase transitions of the first order.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, Wrocław University of Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radosz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ostasiewicz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magnuszewski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Damczyk
authors.forename: Ł
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Radosiński
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Kusmartsev
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mituś
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pawlik