Phase ordering and shape deformation of two-phase membranes

TL;DR

This paper analytically investigates how phase separation and shape deformation occur in two-phase elastic membranes using a coupled-field Ginzburg-Landau model, providing insights into vesicle behavior.

Contribution

It introduces an exact periodic domain wall solution to analyze shape and phase ordering in two-phase membranes with simple geometries.

Findings

Phase separation favors regions with different curvature.

Membrane deformation can be estimated analytically.

Results are relevant to vesicle phase behavior.

Abstract

Within a coupled-field Ginzburg-Landau model we study analytically phase separation and accompanying shape deformation on a two-phase elastic membrane in simple geometries such as cylinders, spheres and tori. Using an exact periodic domain wall solution we solve for the shape and phase ordering field, and estimate the degree of deformation of the membrane. The results are pertinent to a preferential phase separation in regions of differing curvature on a variety of vesicles.