Interface Unbinding in Structured Wedges

TL;DR

This paper investigates how interfaces unbind from structured wedges, revealing a two-stage process involving a continuous filling transition followed by a discontinuous unbinding, supported by exact and simulation methods.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of interface unbinding in structured wedges, combining exact 2D calculations and 3D simulations to elucidate the unbinding mechanism.

Findings

Unbinding occurs in two stages: continuous filling and discontinuous unbinding.

Exact transfer matrix approach maps the phase diagram in 2D.

Monte Carlo simulations confirm similar behavior in 3D.

Abstract

The unbinding properties of an interface near structured wedges are investigated by discrete models with short range interactions. The calculations demonstrate that interface unbinding take place in two stages: $i$) a continuous filling--like transition in the pure wedge--like parts of the structure; $ii$) a conclusive discontinuous unbinding. In 2$D$ an exact transfer matrix approach allows to extract the whole interface phase diagram and the precise mechanism at the basis of the phenomenon. The Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations performed in 3$D$ reveal an analogous behavior. The emerging scenario allows to shed new light onto the problem of wetting of geometrically rough walls.