Jorge A. P. Ramos, Enzo Granato, Cristian V. Achim, See Chen Ying, Ken R. Elder and Tapio Ala-Nissila

We study numerically the phase diagram of a phase field crystal model for adsorbed layers. This model, introduced recently, is a continuous field crystal lattice in presence of an external pinning potential. The model allows for both elastic and plastic deformations of the layer on atomic and diffusive time scales. Monte Carlo simulations are used to determine the phase diagram as a function of temperature, lattice mismatch and substrate pinning potential. The results show a rich phase diagram with commensurate, incommensurate and liquid-like phases with a topology strongly dependent on the type of ordered structure.

Adsorbed layers, commensurate-incommensurate transitions, strained epitaxial layers, numerical simulation.

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