 Field conjugate to an order parameter

A field conjugate to a scalar order parameter $m$ contributes $-hm$ to its free-energy density. Differentiating the equilibrium free energy with respect to $h$ gives $-m$, with density or extensive normalization stated consistently. In a ferromagnet the conjugate field is magnetic; for a fluid-density order parameter it is related to a chemical-potential difference. It can explicitly break the symmetry whose spontaneous breaking defines the ordered phase.