A study was made of the phase-separation dynamics of a 2-dimensional Ising model in which A and B particles could exchange position only with a vacancy. Over a wide range of temperatures, the kinetics were dominated (during a long pre-asymptotic regime) by the diffusion of particles along domain interfaces. The dynamic exponent which was associated with this mechanism differed from that usually expected for Kawasaki dynamics, and was shown to have differing values; depending upon the temperature and the relative A and B concentrations. In particular, domains grew as t½ (at low temperatures) for equal A and B volume fractions.

Fast Growth at Low Temperature in Vacancy-Mediated Phase Separation. C.Castellano, F.Corberi: Physical Review B, 2001, 63[6], 060102(R) (4pp)