Premelting-Induced Smoothening of the Ice-Vapor Interface.
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.
Departamento de Química-Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Jorge
J
Benet
Departamento de Química-Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Pablo
P
Llombart
Departamento de Química-Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Eduardo
E
Sanz
Departamento de Química-Física, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Luis G
LG
MacDowell