Nucleation for a long range magnetic model (Q1096261)

The paper describes the evolution of a dynamical magnetic model with long-range interaction in the limit of infinitely many spins. Large deviation results are established by means of an action functional. This action functional is minimal along the McKean-Vlasov path, governed by the asymptotic evolution equation. The quasi-potential corresponding to the action functional is set in relation to the free energy functional for the Gibbs states. This allows to describe the onset of nucleation which appears at the dynamical transition from one equilibrium state to another [see also \textit{D. Dawson} and \textit{J. Gärtner}: Large deviations, free energy functional and quasi-potential for a mean field model of interacting diffusions. Preprint (1987)].