Dynamics of a driven probe molecule in a liquid monolayer

TL;DR

This paper investigates the motion of a driven probe molecule in a liquid monolayer, deriving a microscopic friction coefficient, analyzing particle distribution, and estimating self-diffusion, providing insights into microscopic dynamics on surfaces.

Contribution

It introduces a mean-field approach to connect microscopic parameters with macroscopic friction and motion of a probe in a liquid monolayer, extending understanding of surface diffusion dynamics.

Findings

Derived an analog of the Stokes formula for the system

Calculated the distribution of monolayer particles around the probe

Estimated the self-diffusion coefficient in the monolayer

Abstract

We study dynamics of a probe molecule, driven by an external constant force in a liquid monolayer on top of solid surface. In terms of a microscopic, mean-field-type approach, we calculate the terminal velocity of the probe molecule. This allows us to establish the analog of the Stokes formula, in which the friction coefficient is interpreted in terms of the microscopic parameters characterizing the system. We also determine the distribution of the monolayer particles as seen from the stationary moving probe molecule and estimate the self-diffusion coefficient for diffusion in a liquid monolayer.