P. V. Dolganov, N. S. Shuravin, E. I. Kats, V. K. Dolganov, “Coalescence of islands of different thicknesses in smectic nanofilms”, Pis'ma v Zh. Èksper. Teoret. Fiz., 2019, Volume 110, Issue 8,Pages <nobr>539

This article is cited in 5 papers

CONDENSED MATTER

Coalescence of islands of different thicknesses in smectic nanofilms

P. V. Dolganov^a, N. S. Shuravin^a, E. I. Kats^b, V. K. Dolganov^a

^a Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow region, 142432 Russia
^b Landau Institute of Theoretical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow region, 142432 Russia

Abstract: In smectic nanofilms, the coalescence of islands (areas thicker than the smectic nanofilm) of different thicknesses and radial dimensions is studied. The initial stage of coalescence (fusion of islands) has a dislocation nature and is associated with changes in the energy of dislocation loops. The second stage of coalescence with the collapse of one of the islands occurs with the increase in the size of the other island. The estimates obtained show that the change in the energy of dislocation loops and the interaction of the surfaces of the smectic nanofilm play the decisive role at this stage. An unexpected effect of displacement of the center of mass of two islands in the process of their coalescence is also discovered. The effect is related to the collective dynamics of the material flows of the islands and the smectic nanofilm.

Received: 05.09.2019
Revised: 06.09.2019
Accepted: 06.09.2019

DOI: 10.1134/S0370274X19200050