Critical Wetting and Interface Localization—Delocalization Transition in a Double Wedge

Abstract

Using Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling methods we study “wetting” in Ising systems in a L x L x L y pore with quadratic cross section. Antisymmetric surface fields H s act on the free L x L y surfaces of the opposing wedges, and periodic boundary conditions are applied along the y-direction. Our results represent the first simulational observation of fluctuation effects in three dimensional wetting phenomena and corroborate recent predictions on wedge filling. In the limit L → ∞ L y /L 3 = const the system exhibits a new type of phase transition, which is the analog of the “filling transition” that occurs in a single wedge. It is characterized by critical exponents α = 3/4, β = 0, γ = 5/4 for the specific heat, order parameter, and susceptibility, respectively.