We determine the first through fourth moments of the order parameter, and various ratios, for several one- and two-dimensional models with absorbing-state phase transitions. We perform a detailed analysis of the system-size dependence of these ratios and confirm that they are indeed universal for three models, the contact process, the $A$ model, and the pair contact process, belonging to the directed percolation universality class. Our studies also yield a refined estimate for the critical point of the pair contact process.

• Received 20 May 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.58.4266