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Coarse-graining approach to first-order phase transitions

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Abstract

On an example of a simple spin system with two ground states and no symmetry, we show how to control low-temperature systems near first-order phase transitions by a straightforward renormalization group argument. The method, as opposed to the Pirogov-Sinai approach, also works for complex Hamiltonians.

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Gawedzki, K., Kotecký, R. & Kupiainen, A. Coarse-graining approach to first-order phase transitions. J Stat Phys 47, 701–724 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01206154

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