PHASE-SEPARATION DRIVEN BY EXTERNAL FLUCTUATIONS

The influence of external fluctuations in phase separation processes i s analysed. These fluctuations arise from random variations of an exte rnal control parameter. A linear stability analysis of the homogeneous state shows that phase separation dynamics can be induced by external noise. The spatial structure of the noise is found to have a relevant role in this phenomenon. Numerical simulations confirm these results. A comparison with order-disorder noise-induced phase transitions is a lso made.