TY - JOUR AB - We consider simple mean field continuum models for first order liquid–liquid demixing and solid–liquid phase transitions and show how the Maxwell construction at phase coexistence emerges on going from finite-size closed systems to the thermodynamic limit. The theories considered are the Cahn–Hilliard model of phase separation, which is also a model for the liquid-gas transition, and the phase field crystal model of the solid–liquid transition. Our results show that states comprising the Maxwell line depend strongly on the mean density with spatially localized structures playing a key role in the approach to the thermodynamic limit. AU - Thiele, Uwe AU - Frohoff-Hülsmann, Tobias AU - Engelnkemper, Sebastian AU - Knobloch, Edgar AU - Archer, Andrew J. DA - 2019-12-13 DO - 10.1088/1367-2630/ab5caf KW - Maxwell construction KW - mean-field models KW - localized structures KW - phase separation KW - colloidal crystallization KW - Cahn–Hilliard model KW - phase field crystal model LA - eng N1 - New Journal of Physics 21 (2019) 123021, 1-21 N1 - Finanziert durch den Open-Access-Publikationsfonds der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster (WWU Münster). PY - 2019-12-13 TI - First order phase transitions and the thermodynamic limit UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hbz:6-12189448142 Y2 - 2024-12-27T09:11:57 ER -