Kinetics of Phase Ordering in a Two-Component Fluid Membrane

Abstract

We present a novel Monte Carlo simulation of the phase separation dynamics of a model fluid membrane. Such a phase segregation induces shape changes of the membrane and results in local `budding' under favourable conditions. We present a preliminary investigation of the nucleation regime and compute a variety of growth laws. Our study indicates that membranes with high viscosity, buckle on account of phase segregation. We discuss the relation between this dynamical buckling and the phenomenon of `capping' seen in biological membranes.

18 pages LaTex file, 5 figures in compressed uuencoded PS file. Available on ftp at cond-mat@xxx.lanl.gov (presented at the International Conference on Liquid Crystals and Supramolecular Order, Bangalore, Jan-1996)