Abstract

We consider two variations of the "Wulff shape" problem for the equilibrium shape of a solid particle in two dimensions.

The first part of the talk considers the effect of a corner-energy regularization which rounds sharp corners of the crystal. We consider the limit of small regularization, and use matched asymptotic expansions to construct solutions to the free boundary problem. It is shown that the regularized solutions approach the Wulff shape as the regularization goes to zero.

The second part of the talk discusses equilibrium crystal shapes ("islands" or "quantum dots") in strained solid films. Here numerical results on the interaction of anisotropic surface energy and elastic energy generates interesting bifurcation behavior in the shape of quantum dots.

TUESDAY, February 3, 2004
Time: 1:30 P.M.
Location: PPB 300