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arXiv · 2211.10358

Thin Film Rupture from the Atomic Scale

Muhammad Rizwanur Rahman·Li Shen·James P. Ewen·Benjamin Collard·D. M. Heyes·Daniele Dini·E. R. Smith
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Abstract

The retraction of thin films, as described by the Taylor-Culick (TC) theory, is subject to widespread debate, particularly for films at the nanoscale. We use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to explore the validity of the assumptions used in continuum models, by tracking the evolution of holes in a film. By deriving a new mathematical form for the surface shape and considering a locally varying surface tension at the front of the retracting film, we reconcile the original theory with our simulation data to recover a corrected TC speed valid at the nanoscale.

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Muhammad Rizwanur Rahman, Li Shen, James P. Ewen, Benjamin Collard, D. M. Heyes, Daniele Dini, E. R. Smith. 2022-11-18. Thin Film Rupture from the Atomic Scale. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0149974

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