Scaling behaviors at quantum and classical first-order transitions

Abstract

We consider quantum and classical first-order transitions, at equilibrium and under out-of-equilibrium conditions, mainly focusing on quench and slow quasi-adiabatic protocols. For these phenomena, we review the finite-size scaling theory appropriate to describe the general features of the large-scale, and long-time for dynamic phenomena, behavior of finite-size systems.

Comments: review article, 25 pages, published in "50 years of the renormalization group, dedicated to the memory of Michael. E. Fisher", edited by Amnon Aharony, Ora Entin-Wohlman, David Huse, and Leo Radzihovsky, World Scientific 2024, Singapore