Non-Markovian Mpemba effect in mean-field systems.

Abstract

Under certain conditions, a counterintuitive behavior-an initially hotter sample freezes faster when quenched to a cold bath than an identical system initialled at a lower temperature-is known as the Mpemba effect (ME). Here we identify the existence of the ME in mean-field systems (MFS). Specifically, the thermal contact between MFS and a large thermal reservoir is built up using the microcanonical Monte Carlo algorithm. The simulation results unambiguously demonstrate that an initial hotter system undergoes the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic phase transition faster than the initial cooler one. The ME here originates from the back-reaction of the MFS system on the reservoir, which is thus an embodiment of non-Markovianness in relaxation. In addition, we confirm that the ME survives in the thermodynamic limit. And the significance of reservoir size is also explored: A smaller heat reservoir facilitates the overall relaxation process. In general, this work establishes a theoretical non-Markovian ME framework, which may shed light on widening the understanding of the mechanism behind the ME in other substances, including water.