A Model for Nonequilibrium Wetting Transitions in Two Dimensions

TL;DR

This paper introduces a two-dimensional model for nonequilibrium wetting transitions, analyzing its critical behavior and crossover phenomena related to interface unbinding and KPZ nonlinearity.

Contribution

The paper presents a simple 2D model for nonequilibrium wetting, mapping it to an exactly solvable equilibrium case and exploring crossover to KPZ-type behavior.

Findings

Exact solution at p=1 with critical exponents gamma=1/3 and x_0=1

Observation of crossover to different exponents for p ≠ 1

Identification of KPZ nonlinearity effects in the model

Abstract

A simple two dimensional model of a phase growing on a substrate is introduced. The model is characterized by an adsorption rate q, and a desorption rate p. It exhibits a wetting transition which may be viewed as an unbinding transition of an interface from a wall. For p=1, the model may be mapped onto an exactly soluble equilibrium model exhibiting complete wetting with critical exponents gamma = 1/3 for the diverging interface width and x_0 = 1 for the zero-level occupation. For 0 < p != 1 a crossover to different exponents is observed which is related to a KPZ type nonlinearity.