title: Lattice Boltzmann study of spinodal decomposition in two dimensions.
abstract: A lattice Boltzmann model using the Shan-Chen prescription for a binary immiscible fluid is described, and the macroscopic equations obeyed by the model are derived. The model is used to quantitatively examine spinodal decomposition of a two-dimensional binary fluid. This model allows examination of the early-time period corresponding to interface formation, and shows agreement with analytical solutions of the linearized Cahn-Hilliard equation, despite the fact that the model contains no explicit free-energy functional. This regime has not, to the knowledge of the authors, been previously observed using any lattice Boltzmann method. In agreement with other models, a scaling law with the exponent 2/3 is observed for late-time domain growth. Breakdown of scaling is also observed for certain sets of simulation parameters.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Computational Science, Department of Chemistry, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England. j.chin@qmul.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Peter V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Coveney