Destruction of a first-order transition by dimensional crossover

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Abstract
The q=3-state Potts model undergoes a first-order transition in three dimensions, and a continuous one in two dimensions. For a system of finite thickness L, the transition will be either first order (for L>Lx) or continuous (for Lx). For some particular thickness Lx, the tricritical three-state Potts behaviour is obtained. An experimental system is proposed for which an external magnetic field plays the role of temperature, and physical temperature in turn corresponds to variation of the effective thickness. The system may provide the first experimental values for three-state Potts tricritical exponents in two dimensions.