The disordered flat phase of a crystal surface - critical and dynamic properties

TL;DR

This paper investigates the critical and dynamic properties of the disordered flat phase in a crystal surface using a restricted SOS model, Monte Carlo simulations, and analysis of surface kinetics.

Contribution

It confirms the non-universality of critical exponents at the preroughening transition and explores surface profile equilibration in the disordered flat phase.

Findings

Critical exponents are non-universal at the transition.

Surface profile equilibration is simulated with evaporation and diffusion.

Differences from flat and rough phases are discussed.

Abstract

We analyze a restricted SOS model on a square lattice with nearest and next-nearest neighbor interactions, using Monte Carlo techniques. In particular, the critical exponents at the preroughening transition between the flat and disordered flat (DOF) phases are confirmed to be non-universal. Moreover, in the DOF phase, the equilibration of various profiles imprinted on the crystal surface is simulated, applying evaporation kinetics and surface diffusion. Similarities to and deviations from related findings in the flat and rough phases are discussed.