BUBBLE-FREE ENERGY DURING THE CONFINEMENT TRANSITION

By integrating the thermodynamic Gibbs-Tolman-Konig-Buff equation, an expression for the surface tension sigma(R) is derived and it is demon strated that the use of its simple asymptotic (y = R/delta much-greate r-than 1) form sigma(R) = sigma(infinity)(1 - 2 delta/R) is questionab le in the case of small droplets, which are typical of the deconfineme nt phase transition. The misuse of the asymptotics may affect calculat ions of the droplet free energy, and consequently, the estimated super cooling or superheating of the hot and dense nuclear matter.