Dynamics of condensation of wetting layer in time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau model

The dynamics of liquid condensation on a substrate or within a capillary is studied when the wetting film grows via interface-limited growth. We use a phenomenological time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau (TDGL)-type model with long-range substrate potential. Using an order parameter, which does not directly represent the density, we can derive an analytic formula for the interfacial growth velocity that is directly related to the substrate potential. Using this analytic expression the growth of wetting film is shown to conform to a power-law-type growth, which is due to the presence of a long-range dispersion force.

Growing liquid film with a planar wave front as the envelop of spherical wave fronts.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide