Equilibrium crystal shapes in the Potts model.
The three-dimensional q-state Potts model, forced into coexistence by fixing the density of one state, is studied for q=2, 3, 4, and 6. As a function of temperature and number of states, we studied the resulting equilibrium droplet shapes. A theoretical discussion is given of the interface properties at large values of q. We found a roughening transition for each of the numbers of states we studied, at temperatures that decrease with increasing q, but increase when measured as a fraction of the melting temperature. We also found equilibrium shapes closely approaching a sphere near the melting point, even though the three-dimensional Potts model with three or more states does not have a phase transition with a diverging length scale at the melting point.
Bikker
R P
RP
Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.195, TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Barkema
G T
GT
van Beijeren
H
H