6533b7d5fe1ef96bd1264f42

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Kinetics of the Formation of Ordered Domains on Surfaces: Theoretical Considerations and Monte-Carlo Simulation

subject

description

When an adsorbed monolayer which initially is in a disordered state is suddenly brought to a temperature in the regime of the ordered phase, domains of the ordered phase are predicted to form and grow with time t after the quench according to a power law, i.e. linear dimension L(t) ∞ tx. At the same time, the structure function S(k,t) is predicted to satisfy a scaling law, S(k,t) = S(k,tx), k being the difference between the wave vector observed in the scattering and the Bragg wave vector describing the long range order. The theoretical ideas which lead to this behaviour are briefly reviewed, and evidence from simulations of simple lattice gas models and Potts models is presented. Particular attention is paid to the question whether the exponent x is universal, and what “universality classes” exist. It is also discussed how quenches to a critical point may yield information on the critical dynamics of adsorbed layers. Both the case of conserved and of nonconserved coverage is considered, which should apply to either chemisorbed monolayers or to physisorbed layers coexisting with the gas phase.