Criterion for phase separation in one-dimensional driven systems

Y. Kafri, E. Levine, D. Mukamel, G. M. Schutz, J. Torok

Published 2002-04-15, updated 2002-06-27Version 2

A general criterion for the existence of phase separation in driven one-dimensional systems is proposed. It is suggested that phase separation is related to the size dependence of the steady-state currents of domains in the system. A quantitative criterion for the existence of phase separation is conjectured using a correspondence made between driven diffusive models and zero-range processes. Several driven diffusive models are discussed in light of the conjecture.