Abstract
We compute the probability distribution of the number of metastable states at a given applied field in the mean-field random-field Ising model at T = 0. Remarkably, there is a non-zero probability in the thermodynamic limit of observing metastable states on the so-called 'unstable' branch of the magnetization curve. This implies that the branch can be reached when the magnetization is controlled instead of the magnetic field, in contrast to the situation for the pure system. Available from 10.1088/1742-5468/2008/10/P10004
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | P10004 |
| Journal | Journal of Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Experiment |
| Volume | 2008 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Disordered systems (theory)
- Metastable states
- Energy landscapes (theory)
- Classical phase transitions (theory)