Dynamics of first-order transitions in two-dimensional systems with long-range interactions

The dynamics of first-order phase transitions in two-dimensional Ising systems with long-range interactions has been studied by means of numerical simulations using the Metropolis Monte Carlo method. The kinetics of domain growth was examined at early times for spinodal decomposition for both conserved and nonconserved order parameters; the resultant behavior was found to be in agreement with linear theory, as predicted by Binder. The late stages of domain growth for nonconserved order parameters were also studied and the results were in agreement with the Allen-Cahn growth law. © 1990 The American Physical Society