Phase transition dynamics in fluids: equilibrium to nonequilibrium

Abstract

Phenomena related to phase transitions are nontrivial, understanding of which is of fundamental importance. This thesis deals with dynamics in fluids at and around phase transitions in equilibrium as well as nonequilibrium situations. In equilibrium case we study various transport properties in the vicinity of phase coexistence with particular emphasis on the enhancement of these quantities as one approaches the critical point, i.e., dynamic critical phenomena. In out-of-equilibrium case, our focus is on the coarsening dynamics following rapid quench of a homogeneous system into the phase coexistence region.