Discrete Lattice Models for Interface Growth on a Complete Graph

TL;DR

This study explores how discrete interface growth models in the EW and KPZ classes behave on a complete graph, revealing both similarities and key differences from continuum equations, especially in fluctuations and long-term dynamics.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of discrete lattice models on a complete graph, highlighting deviations from continuum behavior in KPZ class models.

Findings

RSOS model's saturation roughness decreases with system size

BD model's saturation roughness increases with system size

BD model shows an ultrafast growth regime outside KPZ universality

Abstract

We investigate the behavior of discrete interface growth models belonging to the Edwards--Wilkinson (EW) and Kardar--Parisi--Zhang (KPZ) universality classes, when defined on a complete graph, a topology commonly used to probe the infinite-dimensional limit of statistical mechanical systems. Our aim is to assess to what extent discrete lattice models reproduce the behavior of their corresponding continuum equations in this highly connected setting. After assessing the trivial behavior shown by some well known cases (like random deposition with surface relaxation or the etching model), we focus on two paradigmatic models associated with the KPZ universality class, the Restricted Solid-on-Solid (RSOS) and Ballistic Deposition (BD) models, and assess non-trivial behavior through several observables including the roughness, height fluctuations, power spectra, and two-time autocorrelation functions. Still, despite similarities with continuum equations, important differences arise in the fluctuations and long-time dynamics. In both discrete models the rescaled height fluctuations display a pronounced left tail, indicating the presence of lagging nodes. While the RSOS model exhibits a saturation roughness that decreases with system size, similarly to the EW and KPZ equations, the BD model exhibits a saturation roughness that increases with system size and an additional ultrafast growth regime, placing it outside the KPZ universality class on a complete graph.