Dynamic scaling for avalanches in disordered systems.

Abstract

Dynamic scaling for fracture or breakdown process in disordered systems is investigated in a two-dimensional random field Ising model (RFIM). We find two evolving stages in the avalanche process in the RFIM. At the short-time regime, a power-law growth of the avalanche size Deltas is observed; and at late times, the conventional nucleation and growth process is found. At the critical point of the RFIM, the avalanche size is found to obey the dynamic scaling law Delta(s) approximately equal t((d-beta/nu)/z). From this dynamic scaling relation, the critical strength of the random field D(c) and the critical exponents, beta, nu, and z, are determined. The observed dynamics is explained by a simple nucleation theory of first-order phase transformations.