PhD project: Nonequilibrium Phase Transitions
Project description
A major question concerning non-equilibrium systems is how their properties differ from systems in thermal equilibrium and in particular what is the nature of non-equilibrium phase transitions. A major achievement of our work in Edinburgh has been the realisation that phase transitions and, in particular, spontaneous symmetry breaking may occur in one-dimensional (1d) systems as opposed to equilibrium systems where phase transitions cannot occur in 1d. Such systems are realised, for example, by traffic and granular flow. A related non-equilibrium phase transition is 'real-space condensation' the characteristic feature of which is that above a critical density of the microscopic constituents a finite fraction of constituents 'condense' onto one site of the corresponding lattice model. The project is to extend our understanding of and to discover new non-equilibrium phase transitions through numerical and analytical studies.
Project supervisors
- Professor Richard Blythe (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
- Professor Martin Evans (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
The project supervisors welcome informal enquiries about this project.
Find out more about this research area
The links below summarise our research in the area(s) relevant to this project:
- Find out more about Statistical Physics and Complexity.
- Find out more about the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems.
What next?
- Find out how to apply for our PhD degrees.
- Find out about fees and funding and studentship opportunities.
- View and complete the application form (on the main University website).
- Find out how to contact us for more information.