Interface in presence of a wall. Results from field theory
Gesualdo Delfino, Marianna Sorba, Alessio Squarcini
Abstract
We consider three-dimensional statistical systems at phase coexistence in the half-volume with boundary conditions leading to the presence of an interface. Working slightly below the critical temperature, where universal properties emerge, we show how the problem can be studied analytically from first principles, starting from the degrees of freedom (particle modes) of the bulk field theory. After deriving the passage probability of the interface and the order parameter profile in the regime in which the interface is not bound to the wall, we show how the theory accounts at the fundamental level also for the binding transition and its key parameter.
Topics & Concepts
Interface (matter)Boundary (topology)Statistical physicsField (mathematics)Degrees of freedom (physics and chemistry)Field theory (psychology)Phase transitionBoundary value problemPhase (matter)Statistical mechanicsPhysicsMathematicsTheoretical physicsCondensed matter physicsMathematical analysisThermodynamicsQuantum mechanicsMathematical physicsPure mathematicsGibbs isothermPulmonary surfactantTheoretical and Computational PhysicsMaterial Dynamics and PropertiesStochastic processes and statistical mechanics