Adsorption and superfluid onset of He films on intermediate strength substrates

On strong binding substrates, such as graphite or mylar that are wetted by ⁴He at all temperatures, an adsorbed ⁴He film consists of 2 atomic layers of “inert” helium covered by a liquid layer that becomes superfluid via a Kosterlitz–Thouless (KT) transition. On weak substrates, for example cesium, superfluid onset above the wetting temperature also conforms to the KT picture. In contrast, superfluid onset on intermediate strength substrates, specifically heavier alkali metals and monolyer films of cesium on gold, deviates strongly from KT behavior. Here we describe superfluid onset of ⁴He on intermediate strength substrates and discuss the contributions of weak bindings and disorder to the non-KT behavior.     

Helium wetting: Theme and variations on inhomogeneous helium

The surprising discovery, in 1991, that liquid helium does not wet a cesium surface at low temperature has triggered an important activity both theoretical and experimental: helium has become a model system for the study of wetting transitions. After summarizing the main theme of helium wetting, I will focus on more recent studies, such as the structure and excitations of helium interfaces, experiments on the capillary rise, the “surfactant effect” of helium-3 impurities on liquid helium-4 and the “quantum prewetting transition” of pure helium-3. Unexpected consequences on the phase separation of³He?⁴He mixtures in restricted geometry will be drawn.     

Wetting, spreading, and adsorption on randomly rough surfaces

The wetting properties of solid substrates with customary (i.e., macroscopic) random roughness are considered as a function of the microscopic contact angle of the wetting liquid and its partial pressure in the surrounding gas phase. Analytic expressions are derived which allow for any given lateral correlation function and height distribution of the roughness to calculate the wetting phase diagram, the adsorption isotherms, and to locate the percolation transition in the adsorbed liquid film. Most features turn out to depend only on a few key parameters of the roughness, which can be clearly identified. It is shown that a first-order transition in the adsorbed film thickness, which we term "Wenzel prewetting", occurs generically on typical roughness topographies, but is absent on purely Gaussian roughness. It is thereby shown that even subtle deviations from Gaussian roughness characteristics may be essential for correctly predicting even qualitative aspects of wetting.     

Hydrogen and helium films as model systems of wetting

Optical experiments on the wetting properties of liquid ⁴He and molecular hydrogen are reviewed. Hydrogen films on noble metal surfaces serve as model systems for studying triple point wetting, a continuous transition between wetting and non-wetting. By means of optically excited surface plasmons, the adsorbed film thickness for temperatures around, and far below, the bulk melting temperature is measured, and the physical mechanisms responsible for the transition are elucidated. Possible applications for other experiments in pure and applied research are discussed. Thin films and droplets of liquid helium are studied on cesium surfaces, on which there is a first order wetting transition. Our studies concentrate on dynamical observations via surface plasmon microscopy, which provide insight into the morphology of liquid helium droplets spreading at different temperatures. Features corresponding to pinning forces, the prewetting line, and the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition are clearly observed.     

Triple-point wetting on rough substrates

The influence of substrate roughness on the wetting scenario of adsorbed van der Waals films is investigated by theory and experiment. Calculating the bending free energy penalty of a solid sheet picking up the substrate roughness, we show that a finite roughness always leads to triple-point wetting reducing the widths of the adsorbed solid films considerably as compared to that of smooth substrates. Testing the theory against our experimental data for molecular hydrogen adsorbed on gold, we find quantitative agreement.     

X-ray study of growing wetting films

X-ray scattering experiments of liquid films on top of solid substrates were performed. With a short pulse disturbance, caused by a temperature difference between the substrate and the vapour in the X-ray cell, the wetting film thickness is reduced. Afterwards the time dependence of the growing film is monitored by X-ray reflectivity measurements in the region of total external reflection. We have examined CCl₄- and CCl₃Br-films on top of silicon wafers and CCl₃Br on glass/gold and glass/silver substrates. The film thickness as function of time is explained by the Kolmogorov growth model. From the data we obtain rather long time constants and the dimensiond=2 of the growing process     

Helium: Solid-liquid interfaces

The static and dynamic properties of solid-liquid interfaces in helium at low temperature are reviewed. The main emphasis is on the hcp solid ⁴He-superfluid ⁴He interface. However, the bcc solid ⁴He, ³He and ³He-⁴He mixtures are also considered. Experiments and theoretical work on the dynamics of rough interfaces are first examined. For these interfaces the growth resistance, the Kapitza resistance and the Peltier coefficient are described. Then, static properties such as surface tensions, wetting and contact angles, nucleation and orientation of crystals are considered. The problem of the roughening transition, i.e. the appearance of smooth facets on the interface, is first analyzed from a theoretical point of view. The related experiments are then reviewed: they include measurements of crystal shapes and of the facet dynamics. Finally, a few other experimental and theoretical works are presented. They mainly concern ³He crystals and ³He-⁴He mixtures for which a few dynamic properties such as growth resistances or heat transport through interfaces have been analyzed.     

Diffusion-corrected simultaneous multilayer growth model

A diffusion-corrected simultaneous multilayer (DCSM) model was developed, taking into account up-step and down-step diffusion of adatoms and enabling rapid identification of different film growth modes. This DCSM model was applied to the initial growth of Cr on (100) SrTiO3 and (0001) alpha-Al2O3 surfaces, monitoring the deposition process by in situ Auger electron spectroscopy. We conclude with general remarks on the usefulness of the DCSM model for exploiting solid state wetting processes of thin metal films on different substrates.     

Morphology and structure of thin liquid-crystalline films at nematic-isotropic transition

We review the main features of very thin nematic liquid-crystalline films on solid substrates, focusing on 5CB on oxidized silicon wafers. By discussing the theoretical aspects of the observed structures, we show that the phenomena at work include isotropic capillary condensation and that the coexistence of isotropic and nematic terraces in thin films is a result of the interplay of several mechanisms. Further theoretical as well as experimental efforts are needed to completely understand the wetting behavior of these systems.Received: 1 August 2003PACS: 68.08.Bc Wetting - 68.15. + e Liquid thin films - 61.30.Hn Surface phenomena in liquid crystals including anchoring, anchoring transitions, surface-induced layering, surface-induced ordering, wetting, prewetting transitions, and wetting transitions     

Molecular simulations of dewetting

We have studied the breakup and subsequent fluid flow in very thin films of partially wetting liquid on solid substrates, using molecular dynamics simulations. The liquid is made of short chain molecules interacting with Lennard-Jones interactions, and the solid is modeled as a clean crystal lattice whose atoms have thermal oscillations. Films below a critical thickness are found to exhibit a spontaneous spinodal-like instability leading to dry patches, as predicted theoretically and observed in some experiments. Liquid withdrawing from a dry patch collects in a moving rim whose fluid dynamics is only partially in agreement with earlier predictions.     

Polytherms of angles of wetting by tin-strontium melts for aluminum films on silicon before and after photon annealing

Polytherms of the angles of wetting by Sn-Sr melts for aluminum films on silicon are investigated by the sessile drop method in helium. Such melts are promising for use as lead-free solders in electronics. It is found that the photon annealing of films enhances their wetting. Wetting thresholds are found at temperatures of >850 K for tin-strontium melts spreading over the surfaces of aluminum films on silicon that are preliminarily processed by photon annealing for 4 s.     

Modelling of spreading process: effect from hydrogen bonds

Lubricant spreading on solid substrates has drawn considerable attention not only for the microscopic wetting theory but also for the dramatic application in head-disk interface of magnetic storage drive systems. Molecular dynamic simulation based on a coarse-grained bead-spring model has been used to study such a spreading process. The spreading profiles indicate that the hydrogen bonds among lubricant molecules and the hydrogen bonds between lubricant molecules and polar atoms of solid substrates will complicate the spreading process in a tremendous degree. The hydrogen bonds among lubricant molecules will strengthen the lubricant combination intensity, which may hinder most molecules from flowing down to the substrates and diffusing along the substrates. And the hydrogen bonds between lubricant molecules and polar atoms of solid substrates will confine the lubricant molecules around polar atoms, which may hinder the molecules from diffusing along the substrates and cause precursor film to vanish.     

重力对GaSb熔滴和液/固界面交互作用的影响

利用我国返回式实验卫星在空间微重力条件下进行了GaSb熔滴与GaP,BN和GaAs等材料的润湿性能的研究,分析了熔滴与基片之间的界面相互作用,并与重力场下实验结果进行了对比.实验表明,重力因素对润湿性存在影响,空间微重力条件下测得的GaSb熔滴与GaP及BN基片的接触角比地面测量的大.对凝固后的熔滴与基片之间的组织分析显示,重力场下,液固界面的相互作用较强,存在较宽的过渡区,这与地面浮力对流有利于物质输运密切相关.实验结果还表明,空间微重力环境下熔体凝固的组织比重力场下要均匀. 关键词： 微重力 润湿性 液/固界面     

Partially wetting thin liquid films: structure and dynamics studied with coherent x rays

We studied the surface structure of thin liquid films vapor deposited on solid substrates in a partial wetting situation by means of coherent x-ray scattering. No dynamics has been observed showing the absence of capillary waves on liquid films partially wetting a substrate. Instead an exponential form of the height-height correlation function has been found pointing toward a solidlike behavior of the thin liquid films at large length scales. The exact surface structure and degree of replication with the substrate depend on the deposition rate of the molecules.     

界面润湿性及固相体积分数对颗粒粗化动力学影响的相场法研究

利用多相场模型模拟了液-固两相体系中固相颗粒的粗化过程, 分析了界面润湿性及固相体积分数对粗化指数、粗化速率及颗粒尺寸分布的影响.结果表明, 不同固相体积分数下粗化指数基本不变, 但粗化速率常数及尺寸分布与固相体积分数及界面润湿性密切相关.在完全润湿条件下, 随着固相体积分数的增加, 粗化速率常数逐渐增大; 而非完全润湿条件下, 随着固相体积分数的增加, 粗化速率常数增大速度变缓, 且当润湿性较低、 固相分数较大时, 粗化速率常数还将随体积分数的增加而下降. 此外, 模拟结果表明各种润湿条件下颗粒的尺寸分布均随着固相分数增加而变宽, 分布峰值降低, 但非完全润湿条件下峰值下降变缓.模拟结果为理解不同实验观测结果之间的分歧提供了依据. 关键词： 粗化 相转变 相场法 润湿性     

Current investigations in theoretical studies of nanostructure–liquid interfaces

Wettability of surfaces is a significant factor affecting properties like water dispersion, spreading, evaporation, dissociation and etc. Surface wettability and wetting behavior of a surface are a subject of broad interest, there is then a great interest to understand better liquid–solid interfaces and water contact angle, in addition to the potential applications in micro- and nano fluidics. This subject is interesting as the growing attractions on the wetting and dynamical properties of water on 2D materials. Also, two clearly defined rigid water layers on solid surfaces are a well-known phenomenon and have been described on several surfaces. Detailed molecular dynamic simulation studies on the origin of this phenomenon are also of general interest. In this current review, recent attempts concerning to the wettability of graphene, graphene oxide and also some metal surfaces obtained by theoretical are presented. Their result contents, therefore, is of interest in order to understand the behavior of water nano-droplets when physisorbed on different substrates. The information is relevant for experimental teams working in this subject, with application in areas as catalysis, friction, surface chemistry, adsorption, etc.     

Nonwetting of He and dilute He–He mixtures on Cs

For pure ⁴He on Cs a nonwet phase exists below ≈2 K but for dilute ³He–⁴He mixtures the wetting is reentrant. Measurements of the contact angle with dilute mixtures of liquid helium on Cs can be explained in detail in terms of ³He states together with ripplons at the Cs–He mixture interface, but it is impossible to account for the lower wetting temperatures or contact angles with only ³He states or ripplons. We discuss the influence of surface roughness of the Cs on the contribution of interface excitations to the free energy and suggest that the variety of contact angles found with different samples of Cs is due mainly to their degree of roughness.     

The nucleation of pentacene thin films

Photoemission Electron Microscopy was used to determine basic factors for nucleation and growth of thin pentacene films. Dependence of both substrate chemistry and deposition rate on the nucleation density was observed. On SiO₂ pentacene shows a high nucleation density and forms small islands consisting of almost vertically oriented molecules. On Si(001) the nucleation density of this thin-film phase is much smaller, but the pentacene film first forms a flat-lying wetting layer. The thin-film phase only forms on top of this wetting layer. Adsorption of a cyclohexene self-assembled monolayer on Si(001) prior to the pentacene growth suppresses the initial pentacene wetting layer but maintains diffusion parameters similar to pentacene on Si(001). The nucleation of pentacene layers on cyclohexene/Si(001) can be described by classical nucleation theory with a critical nucleus size i6. Simple surface modification techniques such as e-beam irradiation of the substrates prior to pentacene adsorption can also have a significant effect on the pentacene nucleation density. PACS 68.37.Nq; 68.43.Fg; 68.47.Fg; 68.55.Ac     

金属钛中氦团簇生长行为的分子动力学研究

运用分子动力学方法模拟了常温下金属钛中氦团簇的生长过程.从能量的角度考察了氦团簇的生长机理.研究发现,随着氦团簇的生长,在氦团簇周围逐渐形成位错环缺陷,氦团簇与氦原子的结合能有逐渐下降的趋势,当氦团簇生长到一定尺寸时会通过发射周围缺陷以使得结合能上升,从而增强了进一步吸收氦原子的能力.模拟还发现,随着氦团簇的继续生长,氦团簇的形状由原来的不规则结构逐渐变成了较为规则的棱柱形结构,在随后的生长过程中其生长仅在（001）平面进行,沿［001］轴的厚度几乎不变. 关键词： 氦团簇 缺陷发射 分子动力学模拟     

New insights on contact angle/roughness dependence on high surface energy materials

The relationship between wettability and roughness has been studied on micro-roughened titanium surface after different cleaning procedures. Whereas most studies addressing (super)-hydrophobic behaviors have so far dealt with the wetting of low surface energy and textured substrates in air environment, we here report on a totally novel system and configuration involving the wetting of highly hydrophilic, textured metallic materials in liquid alkane medium, the so-called two liquid phase method. Roughness characterization showed that substrates were isotropic (2D), at a lengthscale much smaller than the size of the drop, with a heterogeneous (vertical) distribution of peaks and valleys. Depending on whether the alkane that initially penetrates and resides in the pores is displaced or not by the water drop (as for air pockets in air environment), we show that different wetting regimes may appear, depending on the cleaning procedure. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic study dealing with the interplay between surface roughness, the wetting behavior and in particular the (super)-hydrophilicity of high surface energy substrates, in non water miscible liquid environments. Whenever competitive processes of liquid/liquid displacement are involved at such high surface energy and textured substrates, such as titanium implant in bone tissue, these results may contribute understanding and predicting their wetting behavior.