TY - JOUR AU - Sartarelli, Salvador A. AU - Szybisz, Leszek PY - 2009/09/07 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Correlation between asymmetric profiles in slits and standard prewetting lines JF - Papers in Physics JA - Pap. Phys. VL - 1 IS - 0 SE - Articles DO - 10.4279/pip.010001 UR - https://www.papersinphysics.org/papersinphysics/article/view/7 SP - 010001 AB - <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> ER -