metastable
Metastable describes a state of a system that is not the most stable configuration but can persist for a long time because it sits in a local minimum separated by an energy barrier from more stable states. It is distinct from equilibrium in the sense that, given sufficient time or perturbation, the system will relax to a more stable state.
In chemistry and physics, metastability refers to local but not global minima of a potential energy landscape.
In cosmology and particle physics, metastable states can occur as false vacua in quantum fields; decay proceeds
In electronics, metastability describes a state in a digital circuit where a component briefly settles in an
Metastability is a key concept across disciplines, linked to energy landscapes, kinetic barriers, and the practical