Abstract
Two-dimensional simulations of the spinodal decomposition of self-stressed, binary thin films using a Cahn-Hilliard model are presented. Two different sets of mechanical boundary conditions are considered, and compositional strains for a cubic-anisotropic system under plane strain are treated. A composition-dependent interaction energy is assumed at the free surface. Numerical solution of the coupled Cahn-Hilliard and elastic equilibrium equations are obtained using an efficient nonlinear multigrid method. Results of simulations show that, for large enough compositional strain, surface-directed decomposition occurs at the traction-free surface, even when there is negligible surface interaction energy initially attracting one of the components. This decomposition is controlled by elasticity, and results in a local alignment of phases perpendicular to the free surface, in contrast to the parallel alignment produced by surface energy in stress-free systems.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 151-163 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Thin Solid Films |
| Volume | 473 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 Feb 1 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported primarily through the MRSEC Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design by the National Science Foundation under Award Number DMR-0080016. In addition, JSK acknowledges the support of NSF-DMS-0314387. We acknowledge the Mathematics Department and the Networking and Academic Computing Services, both at UC Irvine, for computing time and assistance. SMW and JSK thank Prof. John Lowengrub and Prof. Vittorio Cristini for helpful discussions.
Keywords
- Computer simulation
- Phase transitions
- Surface stress
- Wetting
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Metals and Alloys
- Materials Chemistry