Ensemble properties and molecular dynamics of unstable systems

The Hertel-Thirring cell model for unstable systems (of purely attractive particles) is solved in the canonical ensemble for arbitrary dimensions. The differences between the phase transitions found in the canonical and in the microcanonical ensemble are discussed. The cluster phase (with a complete collapse in the ground state) exhibits the nonextensive character of the cell model. The results of the cell model are compared with molecular-dynamics simulations of a one-dimensional model with a rectangular-well pair potential. The simulations support the relevance of the cell model to characterize basic properties of gravitational systems.