Comparison of molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo computer simulations of spinodal decomposition

Abstract

The main results of recent computer simulations of spinodal decomposition in various systems are summarized and compared. Both Monte Carlo simulations of the kinetic Ising system and molecular dynamics simulations of phase separation in Lennard-Jones systems yield power law growth for the coarsening of the decomposition pattern and scaling of the spinodal peak of the structure factor. These similarities and also distinct differences of the dynamics of one-and two-component systems and of the different simulation techniques are discussed. © 1983 Plenum Publishing Corporation.