TY - JOUR
T1 - Anomalous approach to thermodynamic equilibrium
T2 - structure formation of molecules after vapor deposition
AU - Jana, Pritam Kumar
AU - Wang, Can
AU - Jack, Robert L.
AU - Chi, Lifeng
AU - Heuer, Andreas
PY - 2015/11/16
Y1 - 2015/11/16
N2 - We describe experiments and computer simulations of molecular deposition on a substrate in which the molecules (substituted adenine derivatives) self-assemble into ordered structures. The resulting structures depend strongly on the deposition rate (flux). In particular, there are two competing surface morphologies (α and β), which differ by their topology (interdigitated vs lamellar structure). Experimentally, the α phase dominates at both low and high flux, with the β phase being most important in the intermediate regime. A similar nonmonotonic behavior is observed on varying the substrate temperature. To understand these effects from a theoretical perspective, a lattice model is devised which reproduces qualitatively the topological features of both phases. Via extensive Monte Carlo studies we can, on the one hand, reproduce the experimental results and, on the other hand, obtain a microscopic understanding of the mechanisms behind this anomalous behavior. The results are discussed in terms of an interplay between kinetic trapping and temporal exploration of configuration space.
AB - We describe experiments and computer simulations of molecular deposition on a substrate in which the molecules (substituted adenine derivatives) self-assemble into ordered structures. The resulting structures depend strongly on the deposition rate (flux). In particular, there are two competing surface morphologies (α and β), which differ by their topology (interdigitated vs lamellar structure). Experimentally, the α phase dominates at both low and high flux, with the β phase being most important in the intermediate regime. A similar nonmonotonic behavior is observed on varying the substrate temperature. To understand these effects from a theoretical perspective, a lattice model is devised which reproduces qualitatively the topological features of both phases. Via extensive Monte Carlo studies we can, on the one hand, reproduce the experimental results and, on the other hand, obtain a microscopic understanding of the mechanisms behind this anomalous behavior. The results are discussed in terms of an interplay between kinetic trapping and temporal exploration of configuration space.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84949239358&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.92.052402
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevE.92.052402
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevE.92.052402
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84949239358
VL - 92
JO - Physical Review E
JF - Physical Review E
SN - 1539-3755
IS - 5
M1 - 052402
ER -