Nonequilibrium phase transitions in systems with infinitely many absorbing states

Abstract

We study two nonequilibrium lattice models exhibiting a continuous phase transition from an active state to an absorbing state in which the system is trapped. The models have infinitely many absorbing states. We use one of the models to illustrate how finite-size scaling concepts may be used to enhance computer-simulation studies of the critical behavior. This model is also studied using ordinary steady-state scaling concepts. The results show that the model has the same critical behavior as directed percolation. The applicability of time-dependent simulations, which have proven very efficient in the study of systems with a single absorbing state, is explored extensively using several different initial configurations.