Fluid adsorption near an apex: Covariance between complete and critical wetting

TL;DR

This paper reveals a covariance between complete and critical wetting phenomena at an apex, showing that diverging length scales mimic critical wetting behavior across various models and dimensions, offering experimental testability.

Contribution

It establishes a theoretical link between complete and critical wetting through covariance, applicable in multiple models and dimensions, enhancing understanding of interfacial phenomena.

Findings

Covariance between complete and critical wetting demonstrated

Diverging length scales mimic critical wetting behavior

Applicable in 2D, 3D, and for various force ranges

Abstract

Critical wetting is an elusive phenomenon for solid-fluid interfaces. Using interfacial models we show that the diverging length scales, which characterize complete wetting at an apex, precisely mimic critical wetting with the apex angle behaving as the contact angle. Transfer matrix, renormalization group (RG) and mean field analysis (MF) shows this covariance is obeyed in 2D, 3D and for long and short ranged forces. This connection should be experimentally accesible and provides a means of checking theoretical predictions for critical wetting.