Simulations of deposition growth models in various dimensions. Are overhangs important?

TL;DR

This paper compares surface growth models with and without overhangs across multiple dimensions, revealing that their different scaling exponents indicate they belong to distinct universality classes.

Contribution

It provides simulation-based evidence that overhangs significantly affect the universality class of deposition growth models in various dimensions.

Findings

Different scaling exponents for models with and without overhangs

Overhangs influence the universality class of surface growth

Dimensionality impacts the growth behavior and universality class

Abstract

We present simulation results of deposition growth of surfaces in 2, 3 and 4 dimensions for ballistic deposition where overhangs are present, and for restricted solid on solid deposition where there are no overhangs. The values of the scaling exponents for the two models are found to be different, suggesting that they belong to different universality classes.