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arXiv · 1609.01439

Premelting-Induced Smoothening of the Ice-Vapor Interface

Jorge Benet·Pablo Llombart·Eduardo Sanz·Luis G. MacDowell
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Abstract

We perform computer simulations of the quasiliquid layer of ice formed at the ice-vapor interface close to the ice Ih-liquid-vapor triple point of water. Our study shows that the two distinct surfaces bounding the film behave at small wavelengths as atomically rough and independent ice-water and water-vapor interfaces. For long wavelengths, however, the two surfaces couple, large scale parallel fluctuations are inhibited, and the ice-vapor interface becomes smooth. Our results could help explain the complex morphology of ice crystallites.

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Jorge Benet, Pablo Llombart, Eduardo Sanz, Luis G. MacDowell. 2016-09-06. Premelting-Induced Smoothening of the Ice-Vapor Interface. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.117.096101

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