A condition for first order phase transitions in quantum mechanical tunneling models

H. J. W. Mueller-Kirsten, D. K. Park, J. M. S. Rana

Published 1999-02-12Version 1

A criterion is derived for the determination of parameter domains of first order phase transitions in quantum mechanical tunneling models. The criterion is tested by application to various models, in particular to some which have been used recently to explore spin tunneling in macroscopic particles. In each case agreement is found with previously heuristically determined domains.