A Phase-Field Model of Spiral Dendritic Growth

TL;DR

This paper introduces a phase-field model incorporating tilt degrees of freedom to simulate complex nonequilibrium structures, successfully demonstrating spiral dendritic growth in condensed-phase monolayers of chiral molecules.

Contribution

It develops a novel complex-phase-field model that includes tilt interactions, enabling the simulation of spiral dendritic patterns in chiral molecular monolayers.

Findings

Model reproduces spiral dendritic growth patterns.

Incorporates non-reflection symmetric interactions.

Shows potential for studying complex pattern formation.

Abstract

Domains of condensed-phase monolayers of chiral molecules exhibit a variety of interesting nonequilibrium structures when formed via pressurization. To model these domain patterns, we add a complex field describing the tilt degree of freedom to an (anisotropic) complex-phase-field solidification model. The resulting formalism allows for the inclusion of (in general, non-reflection symmetric) interactions between the tilt, the solid-liquid interface, and the bond orientation. Simulations demonstrate the ability of the model to exhibit spiral dendritic growth.