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Dynamic scaling in phase separation kinetics for quasi-two-dimensional membranes
Brian A Camley1, Frank L H Brown
1Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA. camley@physics.ucsb.edu
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|December 16, 2011
Summary
Phase separation in lipid membranes shows different coarsening speeds depending on concentration. Simulations reveal complex dynamics, with thermal and hydrodynamic effects influencing observed scaling laws for membrane domain growth.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Lipid bilayer membranes undergo phase separation, influencing cellular functions.
- Understanding membrane domain coarsening is crucial for cell biology and materials design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of phase separation and domain coarsening in lipid bilayer membranes.
- To analyze the influence of fluid dissipation and thermal effects on coarsening kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical scaling arguments for asymptotic coarsening.
- Continuum stochastic hydrodynamic simulations of membrane dynamics.
Main Results:
- Predicted scaling laws: R(t) ~ t(1/2) for critical and R(t) ~ t(1/3) for off-critical concentrations.
- Observed scaling violation in critical phase separation due to domain shape differences.
- Identified a regime of apparent R(t) ~ t(1/2) scaling attributed to competing thermal and hydrodynamic effects.
Conclusions:
- Experimental and simulation variations in scaling exponents may arise from measurements outside the asymptotic regime.
- A framework is provided to reconcile diverse observed coarsening behaviors.
- Generalizations to confined and inertial membranes are discussed.
