Riemannian geometric theory of critical phenomena

Exploring Limit Cycles of Differential Equations through Information Geometry Unveils the Solution to Hilbert's 16th Problem

The detection of limit cycles of differential equations poses a challenge due to the type of the nonlinear system, the regime of interest, and the broader context of applicable models. Consequently, attempts to solve Hilbert's sixteenth problem on the maximum number of limit cycles of polynomial differential equations have been uniformly unsuccessful due to failing results and their lack of consistency. Here, the answer to this problem is finally obtained through information geometry, in which the Riemannian metrical structure of the parameter space of differential equations is investigated with the aid of the Fisher information metric and its scalar curvature R. We find that the total number of divergences of |R| to infinity provides the maximum number of limit cycles of differential equations. Additionally, we demonstrate that real polynomial systems of degree n≥2 have the maximum number of 2(n-1)(4(n-1)-2) limit cycles. The research findings highlight the effectiveness of geometric methods in analyzing complex systems and offer valuable insights across information theory, applied mathematics, and nonlinear dynamics. These insights may pave the way for advancements in differential equations, presenting exciting opportunities for future developments.

Thermodynamic geometry of spin-one lattice models. I. Spin and quadrupolar orders and critical scaling functions in one dimension

State space Riemannian geometry is obtained for the one-dimensional Blume-Emery-Griffiths model and its Blume-Capel and Griffiths model limits, and its (pseudo)critical as well as noncritical parameter regimes are extensively investigated. Two codimension one geometries are obtained by taking suitable hypersurfaces in the three-dimensional state space manifold, and the induced thermal metrics are accordingly interpreted in terms of constrained fluctuations. The three-dimensional scalar curvature and the two two-dimensional curvatures are shown to be consistent with Ruppeiner's conjecture relating the inverse of the singular free energy to the thermodynamic scalar curvature. Moreover, they are found to be in an excellent agreement over a greater part of the noncritical region with the corresponding correlation lengths for the spin and the quadrupolar order parameters. The scaling function for the free energy near the pseudocritical and tricritical points is obtained thermodynamically by using Ruppeiner's conjecture. A connection is made between the sign change in the curvatures and the change in fluctuation patterns of the order parameters. In the accompanying paper we shall analyze the geometry of the spin-one model in its mean field approximation.

Thermodynamic Black Holes

Black holes pose great difficulties for theory since gravity and quantum theory must be combined in some as yet unknown way. An additional difficulty is that detailed black hole observational data to guide theorists is lacking. In this paper, I sidestep the difficulties of combining gravity and quantum theory by employing black hole thermodynamics augmented by ideas from the information geometry of thermodynamics. I propose a purely thermodynamic agenda for choosing correct candidate black hole thermodynamic scaled equations of state, parameterized by two exponents. These two adjustable exponents may be set to accommodate additional black hole information, either from astrophysical observations or from some microscopic theory, such as string theory. My approach assumes implicitly that the as yet unknown microscopic black hole constituents have strong effective interactions between them, of a type found in critical phenomena. In this picture, the details of the microscopic interaction forces are not important, and the essential macroscopic picture emerges from general assumptions about the number of independent thermodynamic variables, types of critical points, boundary conditions, and analyticity. I use the simple Kerr and Reissner-Nordström black holes for guidance, and find candidate equations of state that embody several the features of these purely gravitational models. My approach may offer a productive new way to select black hole thermodynamic equations of state representing both gravitational and quantum properties.

Modification of the Two-Point Scaling Theory for the Description of the Phase Transition in Solution. Analysis of Sodium Octanoate Aqueous Solutions

On the basis of conventional scaling theory, the two-point scaling theory was modified in order to describe the influence of composition on the partial molar heat capacity and volume during the micellization process. To verify the theory, isobaric heat capacities and densities of aqueous sodium octanoate solutions were measured over wide composition and temperature ranges and the modified approach was used to analyze the calculated partial molar heat capacities and volumes of the surfactant in water. The results obtained indicate that the micellization process is subject to the scaling laws. The results were compared with those for other systems. Peculiar behavior of the critical indices was observed and correlated with the structure of the micelles.

Ruppeiner geometry of anyon gas

We derive the thermodynamic curvature of a two-dimensional ideal anyon gas of particles obeying fractional statistics. The statistical interactions of anyon gas can be attractive or repulsive. For attractive statistical interactions, thermodynamic curvature is positive and for repulsive statistical interactions, it is negative, which indicates a more stable anyon gas. There is a special case between the two where the thermodynamic curvature is zero. Small deviations from the classical limit will also be explored.

Riemannian geometry of thermodynamics and systems with repulsive power-law interactions

A Riemannian geometric theory of thermodynamics based on the postulate that the curvature scalar R is proportional to the inverse free energy density is used to investigate three-dimensional fluid systems of identical classical point particles interacting with each other via a power-law potential energy gamma r(-alpha) . Such systems are useful in modeling melting transitions. The limit alpha-->infinity corresponds to the hard sphere gas. A thermodynamic limit exists only for short-range (alpha>3) and repulsive (gamma>0) interactions. The geometric theory solutions for given alpha>3 , gamma>0 , and any constant temperature T have the following properties: (1) the thermodynamics follows from a single function b (rho T(-3/alpha) ) , where rho is the density; (2) all solutions are equivalent up to a single scaling constant for rho T(-3/alpha) , related to gamma via the virial theorem; (3) at low density, solutions correspond to the ideal gas; (4) at high density there are solutions with pressure and energy depending on density as expected from solid state physics, though not with a Dulong-Petit heat capacity limit; (5) for 3<alpha<3.7913 , the solution goes from the low to the expected high density limit smoothly; (6) for alpha>3.7913 a phase transition is required to go between these regimes; (7) for any alpha>3 we may include a first-order phase transition, which is expected from computer simulations; and (8) if alpha-->infinity, the density approaches a finite value as the pressure increases to infinity, with the pressure diverging logarithmically in the density difference.

Canonical deformations of surfaces of equilibrium states in thermodynamic phase space

Deformations of submanifolds of thermodynamic equilibrium states introduced by continuous contact maps on a phase-space manifold are considered in terms of the geometrical formulation of thermodynamics. The notion of a contact Hamiltonian is recalled in order to give some possible physical interpretations of such a function in terms of statistical quantities describing initial and deformed systems. Using contact flows we propose a very efficient method for constructing continuous families of thermodynamic systems. A few examples show the possible advantages of using contact Hamiltonians.