Finite size effects and the order of a phase transition in fragmenting nuclear systems

Abstract

We discuss the implications of finite size effects on the determination of the order of a phase transition which may occur in infinite systems. We introduce a specific model to which we apply different tests. They are aimed to characterise the smoothed transition observed in a finite system. We show that the microcanonical ensemble may be a useful framework for the determination of the nature of such transitions.

Comments: LateX, 5 pages, 5 figures; Fig. 1 changed