We propose a method of accelerating photoinduced phase transition in conjunction with a clear-cut demonstration of the method using Monte Carlo simulations for an Ising-type model. The method involves constructing a mixture of two-component constituent units that have an opposite relative stability between their bistable states. As a simple model, an Ising-type model of two components is investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The opposite relative stabilities are implemented in the energy difference between the two states of each unit. In the mixture, the phase transition proceeds under continuous excitation more rapidly than in a single-component homogeneous structure. This is due to an accelerated nucleation of the final phase in the constituent unit that is relatively close to local instability.

• Received 11 March 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.68.235112