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Published on: May 15, 2017
Influence of a thin sheet between domains on dynamics of two-dimensional coalescence in smectic films
P V Dolganov1, N S Shuravin2, V K Dolganov2
1Osipyan Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russia, 142432. pauldol@issp.ac.ru.
Abstract:
Two-dimensional coalescence of holes (regions with thickness less than the surrounding film) in free-standing Smectic A films was studied. Investigations were made on two types of domains: circular holes and holes with a thin sheet of the external film between holes. Direct evidence was found that before start of coalescence a long, thin sheet of external film can exists between holes. This sheet determines the early mechanism of coalescence. It is shown that the existence of the sheet essentially elongates the linear temporal dependence of the size of the bridge connecting the two holes rb(t) ~ t. Later when the thin sheet disappears the crossover to the conventional dependence rb(t) ~ (t)1/2 was observed. Our results can explain numerous data on two-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional coalescence at the early and later stages of coalescence.
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