Equilibrium of anchored interfaces with quenched disordered growth

TL;DR

This paper investigates the equilibrium roughening behavior of a one-dimensional interface with quenched disorder and anchored boundary conditions, revealing conditions under which the interface roughens or remains stiff.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed balance approach to analyze equilibrium properties of disordered interfaces with anchored boundaries, highlighting the influence of disorder realizations.

Findings

Interface roughens linearly near special disorder realizations

Interface remains stiff and tilted in general cases

Detailed balance enables thorough equilibrium analysis

Abstract

The roughening behavior of a one-dimensional interface fluctuating under quenched disorder growth is examined while keeping an anchored boundary. The latter introduces detailed balance conditions which allows for a thorough analysis of equilibrium aspects at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. It is found that the interface roughens linearly with the substrate size only in the vicinity of special disorder realizations. Otherwise, it remains stiff and tilted.