Bulk and surface transitions in asymmetric simple exclusion process: Impact on boundary layers

Abstract

In this paper, we study boundary-induced phase transitions in a particle non-conserving asymmetric simple exclusion process with open boundaries. Using boundary layer analysis, we show that the key signatures of various bulk phase transitions are present in the boundary layers of the density profiles. In addition, we also find possibilities of surface transitions in the low- and high- density phases. The surface transition in the low-density phase provides a more complete description of the non-equilibrium critical point found in this system.