Simulations of Phase Transitions in Confined Geometry

Abstract

We review Monte Carlo simulations of ferromagnetic Ising lattices in a film geometry with surface magnetic fields. The resultant behavior may be critical, 1st order, or tricritical wetting, interface localization-delocalization, and capillary condensation depending upon the film thickness and the boundary conditions used. In a different set of circumstances, an Ising lattice gas model may be used to study growth of MBE films where both deposition and diffusion are allowed. Here the difference between Monte Carlo and kinetic Monte Carlo is important.