A sharp-interface approach for simulating solid-state dewetting of thin films with double-bubble structure

Abstract

We develop a sharp-interface model for solid-state dewetting of double-bubble thin films using an energy variational approach based on a newly proposed interfacial energy. This model characterizes the dynamic evolution of interfaces in double-bubble thin films, a process primarily governed by surface diffusion and junction/contact points migration, and fundamentally distinct from the behavior observed in a single thin film. Subsequently, a structure-preserving parametric finite element approximation is developed for the sharp-interface model, which can preserve both area conservation and energy stability. Extensive numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate the convergence, structure-preserving properties, and superior mesh quality of the proposed method. Additionally, we investigate several specific evolution processes, including the equilibrium shapes of double-bubble thin films and the pinch-off dynamics of long islands.