Layering and wetting transitions for an interface model

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transitions of a solid-on-solid interface model near a wall, revealing a sequence of layering transitions that evolve with temperature until complete wetting occurs.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of layering and wetting transitions in a 3D interface model at low temperatures, highlighting the temperature-dependent sequence of layering levels.

Findings

Identification of multiple layering transitions

Sequence of layering levels increasing with temperature

Complete wetting transition at a critical 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. The system presents a sequence of layering transitions, whose levels increase with the temperature, before the complete wetting above a certain value of this quantity.