Computer-Simulation Dynamics of an Unstable Two-Dimensional Fluid: Time-Dependent Morphology and Scaling

Farid F. Abraham; S. W. Koch; Rashmi C. Desai

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.49.923

Computer-Simulation Dynamics of an Unstable Two-Dimensional Fluid: Time-Dependent Morphology and Scaling

Farid F. Abraham, S. W. Koch, and Rashmi C. Desai

Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 923 – Published 27 September 1982

Abstract

From an isothermal molecular-dynamics experiment of an unstable two-dimensional fluid undergoing phase separation, two principal growth regimes are observed: (1) spinodal decomposition with a wavelike morphology followed by (2) a transition to cluster formation and growth due to atomic condensation and cluster coagulation. The time-dependent power-law behavior for the second growth regime is 0.5, in contrast to a constant-energy simulation which yields a power-law behavior of 0.33. Details of the phase-separation dynamics are discussed and compared with theory.

Received 4 June 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.49.923

Authors & Affiliations

Farid F. Abraham, S. W. Koch^*, and Rashmi C. Desai^†

IBM Research Laboratory, San Jose, California 95193

^*Permanent address: Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A7, Canada.
^†Present address: Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Frankfurt, D-6000 Frankfurt, West Germany.