Monte Carlo computer experiments on critical phenomena and metastable states

Ising and Heisenberg models are studied by the Monte Carlo method. Several hundred up to 60 000 spins located at two- and three-dimensional lattices are treated and various boundary conditions used to elucidate various aspects of phase transitions. Using free boundaries the finite size scaling theory is tested and surface properties are derived, while the periodic boundary condition or the effective field-like ‘self-consistent’ boundary condition are used to derive bulk critical properties. Since Monte Carlo averages can be interpreted as time averages of a stochastic model, ‘critical slowing down of convergence’ occurs. The critical dynamics is investigated in the case of the single spin-flip kinetic Ising model. Also non-equilibrium relaxation processes are treated, e.g. switching on small negative fields the magnetization reversal and nucleation processes are studied. The metastable states found can be understood in terms of a scaling theory and the droplet model. Using a spin exchange model the phase separation kinetics of a binary alloy is simulated.