4,871 research outputs found
Thin film evolution equations from (evaporating) dewetting liquid layers to epitaxial growth
In the present contribution we review basic mathematical results for three
physical systems involving self-organising solid or liquid films at solid
surfaces. The films may undergo a structuring process by dewetting,
evaporation/condensation or epitaxial growth, respectively. We highlight
similarities and differences of the three systems based on the observation that
in certain limits all of them may be described using models of similar form,
i.e., time evolution equations for the film thickness profile. Those equations
represent gradient dynamics characterized by mobility functions and an
underlying energy functional.
Two basic steps of mathematical analysis are used to compare the different
system. First, we discuss the linear stability of homogeneous steady states,
i.e., flat films; and second the systematics of non-trivial steady states,
i.e., drop/hole states for dewetting films and quantum dot states in epitaxial
growth, respectively. Our aim is to illustrate that the underlying solution
structure might be very complex as in the case of epitaxial growth but can be
better understood when comparing to the much simpler results for the dewetting
liquid film. We furthermore show that the numerical continuation techniques
employed can shed some light on this structure in a more convenient way than
time-stepping methods.
Finally we discuss that the usage of the employed general formulation does
not only relate seemingly not related physical systems mathematically, but does
as well allow to discuss model extensions in a more unified way
Depinning of three-dimensional drops from wettability defects
Substrate defects crucially influence the onset of sliding drop motion under
lateral driving. A finite force is necessary to overcome the pinning influence
even of microscale heterogeneities. The depinning dynamics of three-dimensional
drops is studied for hydrophilic and hydrophobic wettability defects using a
long-wave evolution equation for the film thickness profile. It is found that
the nature of the depinning transition explains the experimentally observed
stick-slip motion.Comment: 6 pages, 9 figures, submitted to ep
Modelling the evaporation of thin films of colloidal suspensions using Dynamical Density Functional Theory
Recent experiments have shown that various structures may be formed during
the evaporative dewetting of thin films of colloidal suspensions. Nano-particle
deposits of strongly branched `flower-like', labyrinthine and network
structures are observed. They are caused by the different transport processes
and the rich phase behaviour of the system. We develop a model for the system,
based on a dynamical density functional theory, which reproduces these
structures. The model is employed to determine the influences of the solvent
evaporation and of the diffusion of the colloidal particles and of the liquid
over the surface. Finally, we investigate the conditions needed for
`liquid-particle' phase separation to occur and discuss its effect on the
self-organised nano-structures
Experimental observation of nanoscale radiative heat flow due to surface plasmons in graphene and doped silicon
Owing to its two dimensional electronic structure, graphene exhibits many
unique properties. One of them is a wave vector and temperature dependent
plasmon in the infrared range. Theory predicts that due to these plasmons,
graphene can be used as a universal material to enhance nanoscale radiative
heat exchange for any dielectric substrate. Here we report on radiative heat
transfer experiments between SiC and a SiO2 sphere which have non matching
phonon polariton frequencies, and thus only weakly exchange heat in near field.
We observed that the heat flux contribution of graphene epitaxially grown on
SiC dominates at short distances. The influence of plasmons on radiative heat
transfer is further supported with measurements for doped silicon. These
results highlight graphenes strong potential in photonic nearfield and energy
conversion devices.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Pointwise convergence of vector-valued Fourier series
We prove a vector-valued version of Carleson's theorem: Let Y=[X,H]_t be a
complex interpolation space between a UMD space X and a Hilbert space H. For
p\in(1,\infty) and f\in L^p(T;Y), the partial sums of the Fourier series of f
converge to f pointwise almost everywhere. Apparently, all known examples of
UMD spaces are of this intermediate form Y=[X,H]_t. In particular, we answer
affirmatively a question of Rubio de Francia on the pointwise convergence of
Fourier series of Schatten class valued functions.Comment: 26 page
Dewetting of thin films on heterogeneous substrates: Pinning vs. coarsening
We study a model for a thin liquid film dewetting from a periodic
heterogeneous substrate (template). The amplitude and periodicity of a striped
template heterogeneity necessary to obtain a stable periodic stripe pattern,
i.e. pinning, are computed. This requires a stabilization of the longitudinal
and transversal modes driving the typical coarsening dynamics during dewetting
of a thin film on a homogeneous substrate. If the heterogeneity has a larger
spatial period than the critical dewetting mode, weak heterogeneities are
sufficient for pinning. A large region of coexistence between coarsening
dynamics and pinning is found.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Solidification fronts in supercooled liquids: how rapid fronts can lead to disordered glassy solids
We determine the speed of a crystallisation (or more generally, a
solidification) front as it advances into the uniform liquid phase after the
system has been quenched into the crystalline region of the phase diagram. We
calculate the front speed by assuming a dynamical density functional theory
model for the system and applying a marginal stability criterion. Our results
also apply to phase field crystal (PFC) models of solidification. As the
solidification front advances into the unstable liquid phase, the density
profile behind the advancing front develops density modulations and the
wavelength of these modulations is a dynamically chosen quantity. For shallow
quenches, the selected wavelength is precisely that of the crystalline phase
and so well-ordered crystalline states are formed. However, when the system is
deeply quenched, we find that this wavelength can be quite different from that
of the crystal, so that the solidification front naturally generates disorder
in the system. Significant rearrangement and ageing must subsequently occur for
the system to form the regular well-ordered crystal that corresponds to the
free energy minimum. Additional disorder is introduced whenever a front
develops from random initial conditions. We illustrate these findings with
results obtained from the PFC.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure
DISTRIBUTION OF BURROWING OWLS IN EAST- CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA
Western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) populations have declined across much of western North America, particularly at the northern and eastern edges of the species’ breeding range (Martell et al. 2001, Murphy et al. 2001, Shyry et al. 2001, Skeel et al. 2001, Klute et al. 2003). In South Dakota, the burrowing owl is a summer resident that historically was relatively common throughout the state, but its range has decreased in recent decades, especially in the eastern half of the state (Whitney et al. 1978, South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union [SDOU] 1991, Peterson 1995). Tallman et al. (2002) described the species as uncommon to locally common in western South Dakota, uncommon in the north-central part of the state, and casual (i.e., not within the species’ normal range, but with 3–10 records in the past 10 years) elsewhere in the eastern half. The burrowing owl is a Species of Great- est Conservation Need (South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks [SDGFP] 2006) and a Level I Priority Species in South Dakota (Bakker 2005).
Burrowing owls in South Dakota are strongly associated with colonies of semifossorial mammals, particularly black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus; hereafter prairie dogs) in the west and Richardson’s ground squirrels (Sper- mophilus richardsonii; hereafter ground squirrels) in the east (Whitney et al. 1978, SDOU 1991, Peterson 1995, Tallman et al. 2002). Both of these species are commonly regarded as agricultural pests, and colonies are sometimes poisoned by farmers and ranchers (Matschke et al. 1982, Hoogland 2006). Localized extirpations of colonial burrowing mammals are frequently followed by declines in burrowing owl popula- tions (Desmond et al. 2000, Holroyd et al. 2001, Klute et al. 2003, Poulin et al. 2011). Most prairie dog colonies in South Dakota are found in counties west of the Missouri River or bordering the river on the east (Kempema et al. 2009). Thiele (2012) documented widespread occurrence of burrowing owls nesting in prairie dog colonies in western counties; however, a small number of prairie dog and ground squirrel colonies do exist in eastern South Dakota. Burrowing owls also are known to utilize burrows created by other mammals, such as marmots (Marmota spp.), American badgers (Taxidea taxus), coyotes (Canis latrans), and foxes (Vulpes spp.), when otherwise suitable habitat (e.g., level to gently sloping grassland with few trees) is present (Johnsgard 2002, Dechant et al. 2003, Poulin et al. 2011)
The apple tree system: A district and grower comparison, 1986/87
The aim of this study has been to assess the interrelationships of the various biological and economical factors involved in the apple tree and orchard. It has involved a systems approach to the efficiency of the apple tree as an economic unit.
To understand these interactions, a monitoring approach was used in the three main New Zealand pip fruit districts: Hawkes Bay, Nelson, and Canterbury. Five properties in each district and five Royal Gala or Gala trees on each property were used
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