Layering and wetting transitions for an SOS interface

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transitions of a solid-on-solid interface model near a wall at low temperatures, revealing a sequence of layering transitions that culminate in a wetting transition, with levels increasing as temperature rises.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of layering and wetting transitions in an SOS model, highlighting the temperature-dependent sequence of layering levels before wetting.

Findings

Sequence of layering transitions observed

Levels increase with temperature

Wetting transition occurs at higher temperature

Abstract

We study the solid-on-solid interface model above a horizontal wall in three dimensional space, with an attractive interaction when the interface is in contact with the wall, at low temperatures. There is no bulk external field. The system presents a sequence of layering transitions, whose levels increase with the temperature, before reaching the wetting transition.