2D Contact Process

Directed percolation universality class — absorbing phase transition at λ_c ≈ 1.6488

Active fraction ρ:
Time: 0
Phase:
The contact process is a simple model of infection spreading on a lattice. Each infected site recovers at rate 1, and infects each neighbor at rate λ. Below the critical point λ_c ≈ 1.6488 (2D directed percolation), activity always dies out. Above it, a nonzero stationary density ρ ~ (λ-λ_c)^β with β ≈ 0.584 persists. This is the paradigmatic absorbing-state phase transition.