(147a) Metastable Phase Transitions

Several model systems exhibit a low-temperature first-order transition between two disordered phases that are metastable with respect to an ordered phase. The preponderance of experimental evidence is consistent with the possibility that water may behave in this way. The confluence of structural, kinetic and thermodynamic factors that make this interesting phase behavior possible is an active area of inquiry. I will present a theoretical and computational overview of metastable phase transitions, including discussions of finite size effects, the interplay of nucleation and relaxation times, the stability of interfaces, and metastable criticality.