Critical Point Confluence Phenomenon

Experimental observation of coexisting isotropic chiral liquids for a single molecular substance has motivated creation of a simple lattice model to investigate phase transitions in such systems. Specifically, this model permits the simultaneous existence of two distinct types of critical points, the familiar liquid-vapor case, and a case involving spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking within the fluid system. The molecular interactions involved may extend beyond nearest neighbor lattice cells. The mean field approximation has been invoked to attain explicit results, which include a description of the singular situation for which the two critical points undergo confluence in the temperature-density plane. In particular, this confluence enhances the chiral symmetry breaking phenomenon, leading to a modified critical exponent.