Drift-Induced Transition and Growth-Rate Distributionin Diffusion-Limited Aggregation

Abstract

Morphological changes induced by drift in the diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) is investigated by using the experimental method of electrodeless reduction of silver ions from a AgNO₃ aqueous solution. The silver metal is grown around the electrodeless copper deposition plate within Hele-Shaw cell under an applied electric field which is induced by the electrodes positioned outside Hele-Shaw cell. The applied electric field induces drifts on the diffusive motion of silver ions. The growth pattern of the silver metal on the circular deposition plate is studied by varying strength of the applied electric field. The characteristic growth patterns appear due to the drift of silver ions. The growth-rate distribution around the circular deposition plate is determined experimentally. It is found that the drift-induced transition between growing and no growing phases occurs at a position on the circular plate.