title: Nonequilibrium characterization of spinodal points using short time dynamics.
abstract: Although intuitively appealing, the concept of spinodal is rigorously defined only in systems with infinite range interactions (mean-field systems). In short-range systems, a pseudospinodal can be defined by extrapolation of metastable measurements, but the point itself is not reachable because it lies beyond the metastability limit. In this work we show that a sensible definition of spinodal points can be obtained through the short time dynamical behavior of the system deep inside the metastable phase by looking for a point where the system shows critical behavior. We show that spinodal points obtained by this method agree both with the thermodynamical spinodal point in mean-field systems and with the pseudospinodal point obtained by extrapolation of metaequilibrium behavior in short-range systems. With this definition, a practical determination can be achieved without regard for equilibration issues.
authors: Departamento de Física and Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, c.c. 16, suc. 4, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. yasser.loscar@gmail.com
authors: Ernesto S
authors: ES
authors: Loscar
authors: Ezequiel E
authors: EE
authors: Ferrero
authors: Tomás S
authors: TS
authors: Grigera
authors: Sergio A
authors: SA
authors: Cannas