Computer simulation of phase separation in a two-dimensional binary fluid mixture

The spinodal decomposition and late-time domain growth in a two-dimensional binary fluid have been studied for the first time by computer simulation. The dynamical phase transition shows scaling, and evidence is found of a competition between different growth mechanisms. The scaling regime presents a time growth law with an exponent 1/2, and a subsequent crossover to a faster growth, possibly mediated by a 1/4 transient. Our results demonstrate that hydrodynamic modes play a decisive role in phase separation dynamics.