ynamics of solid growth under gravitational field: Influence of the formation of a diffusive layer.

M. F. CASTEZ, B. BLUM, R. C. SALVAREZZA, H. G. SOLARI

PHYSICAL REVIEW E - STATISTICAL PHYSICS, PLASMAS, FLUIDS AND RELATED INTERDISCIPLINARY TOPICS

Año: 2003 vol. 67 p. 616051 - 616058

1063-651X

   We discuss the gravitational sedimentation of particles in terms of a stochastic model considering, in view ofexperimental evidence, that the aggregation to the growing surface deposit is mediated by the formation of alayer of suspended particles subject to gravitational forces, thermal agitation, as well as aggregation contactforces. The aggregation of such partially buoyant particles is ruled by the rates of occurrence of the differentstochastic events: incorporation to the layer of suspended particles, sedimentation, and gravitationally biaseddiffusion. The model introduces bridges across different standard solid on solid deposition models which canbe considered as limit cases of the present one. Analytical and numerical results show that for finite realisticdeposits there are different regimes of aggregation including situations in which the deposit is grown com-pletely during the transient time of the system.