Dynamical phase transition in vibrational surface modes

Abstract

We consider the dynamical properties of a simple model of vibrational surface modes. We obtain the exact spectrum of surface excitations and discuss their dynamical features. In addition to the usually discussed localized and oscillatory regimes we also find a second phase transition where surface mode frequency becomes purely imaginary and describes an overdamped regime. Noticeably, this transition has an exact correspondence to the oscillatory - overdamped transition of the standard oscillator with a frictional force proportional to velocity.