Spontaneous Structure Formation in Driven Systems with Two Species: Exact Solutions in a Mean-Field Theory

I. Vilfan; R. K. P. Zia; B. Schmittmann

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.73.2071

Spontaneous Structure Formation in Driven Systems with Two Species: Exact Solutions in a Mean-Field Theory

I. Vilfan, R. K. P. Zia, and B. Schmittmann

Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 2071 – Published 10 October 1994

Abstract

A stochastic lattice gas of particles, subject to an excluded volume constraint and to a uniform external driving field, is investigated. Using a mean-field theory for a system with equal number of oppositely charged particles, exact results are obtained. Focusing on the current-vs-density plot, we propose an explanation for the discontinuous transition found in earlier simulations. A critical value of the drive, below which this transition becomes continuous, is found. These results are supported by a bifurcation analysis, leading to an equation of motion for the amplitude of the soft mode.

Received 4 March 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.73.2071

Authors & Affiliations

I. Vilfan¹, R. K. P. Zia², and B. Schmittmann²

¹J. Stefan Institute, University of Ljubljana, P.O. Box 100, SI-61111 Ljubljana, Slovenia
²Center for Stochastic Processes in Science and Engineering and Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061