Limiting shapes in two-dimensional Ising ferromagnets

Abstract

We consider an Ising model on a square lattice with ferromagnetic spin-spin interactions spanning beyond nearest neighbors. Starting from initial states with a single unbounded interface separating ordered phases, we investigate the evolution of the interface subject to zero-temperature spin-flip dynamics. We consider an interface which is initially (i) the boundary of the quadrant or (ii) the boundary of a semi-infinite bar. In the former case the interface recedes from its original location in a self-similar diffusive manner. After a rescaling by √[t], the shape of the interface becomes more and more deterministic; we determine this limiting shape analytically and verify our predictions numerically. The semi-infinite bar acquires a stationary shape resembling a finger, and this finger translates along its axis. We compute the limiting shape and the velocity of the Ising finger.