Differences between fixed time step and kinetic Monte Carlo methods for biased diffusión V. Ruiz Barlett , J.J. Bigeón, M. Hoyuelos, H. O. Mártin

V. RUIZ BARLETT; J.J. BIGEÓN; M. HOYUELOS; H. O. MÁRTIN

JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS

Año: 2008

0021-9991

(TRABAJO ENVIADO: 3/7/2008;  ACEPTADO: 24/4/2009). We consider biased diffusion in a one dimensional lattice and compare results obtained with fixed time step and kinetic Monte Carlo methods. Spurious dispersion and particle position correlation appear with the fixed time step Monte Carlo approach. The mentioned correlation increases with time. We demonstrate that the correct results, that correspond to a time step that tends to zero, are obtained using the kinetic Monte Carlo method. The conclusions also apply to biased diffusion in two or more dimensions and to random deposition.