Stochastic models of firstorder nonequilibrium phase transitions in chemical reactions

摘要: The steady states of a simple nonlinear chemical system kept far from equilibrium are analyzed. A standard macroscopic analysis shows that the nonlinearity introduces an instability causing transition analogous to thermodynamic first-order phase transition. Near this exhibits hysteresis between two alternative states. Fluctuations introduced into model using stochastic master equation. solution equation is unique, preventing exactly stable However, quasi-hysteresis occurs involving transitions metastable on time scale longer than fluctuations around mean state values by factor formeΔφ, where Δo height generalized potential barrier In limit tends infinity and we have essentially