Nonequilibrium Interface Dynamics:
Fundamental Physical Issues in Nonequilibrium Interface Dynamics

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Surface Pattern Selection of a Biaxially Stressed Solid

Dr. Chaouqi Misbah

Physics at Grenoble, France

Abstract:   We address the question of the morphological instability of the surface of a solid which is subject to a bi-axial stress. The stability calculation reveals a new favored pattern: a diamond morphology. This occurs if the stress is tensile in one direction, and compressive in the orthogonal one, and that the ratio exceeds a certain value. A nonlinear analysis shows that the bifurcation is subcritical, and hints to a non-trivial competition between tilted stripes and diamonds. This study opens a new line of inquiries in the field of stress-induced pattern selection. References: 1) K. Kassner, C. Misbah, J. Mueller, J. Kappey, P. Kohlert, Phys. Rev. E, Vo.l. 63, 036117 (2001). 2) P. Berger, K. Kassner, P. Kohlert, and C. Misbah, Phys. Rev. Lett. Vol. 90, 176103 (2003).