Magnetic hierarchical deposition

• We introduce a hierarchical deposition model in which blocks interact magnetically.
• The model complements the magnetic Eden model and its variants.
• The model provides an alternative paradigm for tunable surface roughness.
• We demonstrate the robustness of logarithmic fractality under spatial correlations.

We consider random deposition of debris or blocks on a line, with block sizes following a rigorous hierarchy: the linear size equals 1/λn1/λn in generation nn, in terms of a rescaling factor λλ. Without interactions between the blocks, this model is described by a logarithmic fractal, studied previously, which is characterized by a constant   increment of the length, area or volume upon proliferation. We study to what extent the logarithmic fractality survives, if each block is equipped with an Ising (pseudo-)spin s=±1s=±1 and the interactions between those spins are switched on (ranging from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic). It turns out that the dependence of the surface topology on the interaction sign and strength is not trivial. For instance, deep in the ferromagnetic regime, our numerical experiments and analytical results reveal a sharp crossover from a Euclidean transient, consisting of aggregated domains of aligned spins, to an asymptotic logarithmic fractal growth. In contrast, deep into the antiferromagnetic regime the surface roughness is important and is shown analytically to be controlled by vacancies induced by frustrated spins. Finally, in the weak interaction regime, we demonstrate that the non-interacting model is extremal in the sense that the effect of the introduction of interactions is only quadratic in the magnetic coupling strength. In all regimes, we demonstrate the adequacy of a mean-field approximation whenever vacancies are rare. In sum, the logarithmic fractal character is robust with respect to the introduction of spatial correlations in the hierarchical deposition process.