@article{Sartarelli_Szybisz_2009, title={Correlation between asymmetric profiles in slits and standard prewetting lines}, volume={1}, url={https://www.papersinphysics.org/papersinphysics/article/view/7}, DOI={10.4279/pip.010001}, abstractNote={<p>The adsorption of Ar on substrates of Li is investigated within the framework of a density functional theory which includes an effective pair potential recently proposed. This approach yields good results for the surface tension of the liquid-vapor interface. The behavior of the adsorbate in the cases of a single planar wall and a slit geometry is analyzed as a function of temperature. Asymmetric density profiles are found for fluid confined in a slit built up of two identical planar walls leading to the spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) effect. We found that the asymmetric solutions occur even above the wetting temperature $T_w$ in a range of average densities $\rho^*_{ssb1} \le \rho^*_{av} \le \rho^*_{ssb2}$, which diminishes with increasing temperatures until its disappearance at the critical prewetting point $T_{\rm cpw}$. In this way a correlation between the disappearance of the SSB effect and the end of prewetting lines observed in the adsorption on a one-wall planar substrate is established. In addition, it is shown that a value for $T_{\rm cpw}$ can be precisely determined by analyzing the asymmetry coefficients.</p><p><strong>Received:</strong> 17 June 2009, <strong>Accepted:</strong> 28 August 2009; <strong>Edited by:</strong> S. A. Cannas; <strong>DOI:</strong> 10.4279/PIP.010001</p>}, journal={Papers in Physics}, author={Sartarelli, Salvador A. and Szybisz, Leszek}, year={2009}, month={Sep.}, pages={010001} }