Phase Transitions in a Disordered System in and out of Equilibrium

The equilibrium and nonequilibrium disorder-induced phase transitions are compared in the random-field Ising model. We identify in the demagnetized state the correct nonequilibrium hysteretic counterpart of the T=0 ground state, and present evidence of universality. Numerical simulations in d=3 indicate that exponents and scaling functions coincide, while the location of the critical point differs, as corroborated by exact results for the Bethe lattice. These results are of relevance for optimization, and for the generic question of universality in the presence of disorder.Peer reviewe