Unexpected asymptotic behavior in random sequential adsorption of nonspherical particles

Abstract

The random sequential adsorption of ellipses on a uniform flat surface is studied using simulation methods. Contrary to expectations, the usual asymptotic law for the coverage versus time: \ensuremath{\Theta}(\ensuremath{\infty})-\ensuremath{\Theta}(t)=${\mathrm{kt}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}p}$, with p=(1/2 is not obeyed. The long-time behavior is still well described by a power law. However, the effective parameter p is always less than (1/2 and decreases as the elongation of the ellipse increases: It is close to (1/3 for weakly elongated ellipses, while it approaches (1/4 for a system of ellipses with axial ratio 5.