Applications of Finite-Size-Scaling Techniques to the Simulation of Critical Fluids

A finite-size scaling theory is described that takes account of the lack of symmetry between the coexisting phases of fluids. This broken symmetry is manifest in the so-called ‘field mixing’ phenomenon which is a central feature of the non-universal critical behaviour of fluids. It is shown that the presence of field mixing leads to an alteration to the limiting form of the critical energy distribution and to a finite-size correction to the critical order parameter (particle density) distribution. As a result, finite-size shifts occur in the critical particle and energy densities. The theoretical predictions are tested with an extensive Monte-Carlo study of the critical density and energy f…