Sharp-interface approach for simulating solid-state dewetting in two dimensions: a Cahn-Hoffman $\boldsymbol{\xi}$-vector formulation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a sharp-interface model using a Cahn-Hoffman vector formulation to simulate solid-state dewetting in 2D, incorporating anisotropic surface energies and validated by numerical experiments.

Contribution

It develops a rigorous sharp-interface model with a novel numerical scheme based on the $oldsymbol{\xi}$-vector formulation for anisotropic surface energies.

Findings

Numerical simulations match experimental dewetting behaviors.

Model captures evolution of small islands and pinch-off dynamics.

Inclusion of strong anisotropy enhances model realism.

Abstract

By using a Cahn-Hoffman $\boldsymbol{\xi}$-vector formulation, we propose a sharp-interface approach for solving solid-state dewetting problems in two dimensions. First, based on the thermodynamic variation and smooth vector-field perturbation method, we rigorously derive a sharp-interface model with weakly anisotropic surface energies, and this model describes the interface evolution which occurs through surface diffusion flow and contact line migration. Second, a parametric finite element method in terms of the $\boldsymbol{\xi}$-vector formulation is proposed for numerically solving the sharp-interface model. By performing numerical simulations, we examine several specific evolution processes for solid-state dewetting of thin films, e.g., the evolution of small islands, pinch-off of large islands and power-law retraction dynamics of semi-infinite step films, and these simulation results are highly consistent with experimental observations. Finally, we also include the strong surface energy anisotropy into the sharp-interface model and design its corresponding numerical scheme via the $\boldsymbol{\xi}$-vector formulation.