Homogeneity and size effects on the liquid–gas coexistence curve Original Research Article

The effects of (in)homogeneity and size on the phase diagram of Lennard–Jones fluids are investigated. It is shown that standard multifragmentation scenarios (finite equilibrated systems with conserved center of mass position and momentum) are implying a strong radial inhomogeneity of the system strongly affecting the phase diagram. The homogeneity constraint is therefore necessary for finite systems in order to align to the “meaning” of infinite systems phase diagrams. In this respect, a method which deduces the equation of state of homogeneous finite systems from the one corresponding to bulk matter is designed. The resultant phase diagrams show a strong dependence on the systemʹs size.