Domain growth and finite-size-scaling in the kinetic Ising model

Abstract

This paper describes the application of finite-size scaling concepts to domain growth in systems with a non-conserved order parameter. A finite-size-scaling ansatz for the time-dependent order parameter distribution function is proposed, and tested with extensive Monte-Carlo simulations of domain growth in the 2-D spin-flip kinetic Ising model. The scaling properties of the distribution functions serve to elucidate the configurational self-similarity that underlies the dynamic scaling picture. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the application of finite-size-scaling techniques facilitates the accurate determination of the bulk growth exponent even in the presence of strong finite-size effects, the scale and character of which are graphically exposed by the order parameter distribution function. In addition it is found that one commonly used measure of domain size-the scaled second moment of the magnetisation distribution-belies the full extent of these finite-size effects.