Defect-induced phase transition in the asymmetric simple exclusion process

We reconsider the long-standing question of the critical defect hopping rate $r_c$ in the one-dimensional totally asymmetric exclusion process (TASEP) with a slow bond (defect). For $r< r_c$ a phase separated state is observed due to queuing at the defect site whereas for $r\geq r_c$ the defect site has only local effects on the stationary state of the homogeneous system. Mean-field theory predicts $r_c=1$ (when hopping rates outside the defect bond are equal to 1) but numerical investigations seem to indicate $r_c \approx 0.80(2)$. Here we improve the numerics to show that $r_c > 0.99$ and give strong evidence that indeed $r_c=1$ as predicted by mean-field theory, and anticipated by recent theoretical findings.

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