Diffusion between evolving interfaces

TL;DR

This study investigates how diffusion of particles is affected by evolving interfaces using Monte Carlo simulations, revealing that interface dynamics and bubble size distribution significantly influence diffusion behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation framework for diffusion in dynamic environments with evolving interfaces, highlighting the impact of interface topography and dynamics.

Findings

Diffusion depends on bubble size distribution in one-dimensional interfaces.

In two dimensions, interface topography and dynamics also influence diffusion.

Diffusion behavior converges to the one-dimensional case under strong interface driving.

Abstract

Diffusion in an evolving environment is studied by continuos-time Monte Carlo simulations. Diffusion is modelled by continuos-time random walkers on a lattice, in a dynamic environment provided by bubbles between two one-dimensional interfaces driven symmetrically towards each other. For one-dimensional random walkers constrained by the interfaces, the bubble size distribution domi- nates diffusion. For two-dimensional random walkers, it is also controlled by the topography and dynamics of the interfaces. The results of the one-dimensional case are recovered in the limit where the interfaces are strongly driven. Even with simple hard-core repulsion between the interfaces and the particles, diffusion is found to depend strongly on the details of the dynamical rules of particles close to the interfaces. Article reference: Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 22, 465402 (2010).