Surface tension in finite-temperature quantum chromodynamics

Journal Article · Mon Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.42.2864· OSTI ID:6313300

Huang, S ^[1]; Potvin, J ^[2]; Rebbi, C ^[1]; Sanielevici, S ^[3]

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1. Physics Department, Boston University, Boston, MA (USA)
2. Physics Department, Boston University, Boston, MA (USA) Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computing Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)
3. Supercomputer Computations Research Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (USA)

In a first-order phase transition two phases can coexist at the critical point. The surface free energy {alpha}, associated with the interface separating the two phases, is an important parameter for the phenomenology of nucleation in supercooled matter and, more generally, for the whole dynamics of a system undergoing the phase transition. We report on a calculation of the surface tension in quenched QCD on lattices with volumes 6{sup 2}{times}12{times}2, 8{sup 2}{times}16{times}2, and 10{sup 2}{times}20{times}2, as well as on 8{sup 2}{times}16{times}4 and 12{sup 2}{times}24{times}4. Our results have been obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation where one half of the lattice is adiabatically brought from one phase to the other by applying a temperature gradient, and where the variation of free energy is calculated at the same time through the average of the action. For {ital N}{sub {ital t}}=2 lattices, we find {alpha}/{ital T}{sub {ital c}}{sup 3}=0.23(3) and 0.28(9) on 8{sup 2}{times}16 and 10{sup 2}{times}20 spatial volumes, respectively. On the other hand, the results from lattices with {ital N}{sub {ital t}}=4 are less well defined and are compatible with a vanishing surface tension. We discuss possible ways to improve the accuracy of the calculation with larger {ital N}{sub {ital t}}. In particular we propose the use of the Wilson action supplemented with external Polyakov fields as a way to enhance the formation of the interface.

• OSTI ID: 6313300
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA) Vol. 42:8; ISSN PRVDA; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ALGORITHMS
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE
CRYSTAL MODELS
ENERGY
ENTROPY
FIELD THEORIES
FREE ENERGY
ISING MODEL
LATTICE FIELD THEORY
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATTER
MECHANICS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUARK MATTER
STATISTICAL MECHANICS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE TENSION
SYMMETRY BREAKING
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE