Random Spacing between Metal Tree Electrodeposits in Linear DLA Arrays

Abstract

When we examine the random growth of trees along a linear alley in a rural area, we wonder what governs the location of those trees, and hence the distance between adjacent ones. The same question arises when we observe the growth of metal electro-deposition trees along a linear cathode in a rectangular film of solution. We carry out different sets of experiments wherein zinc trees are grown by electrolysis from a linear graphite cathode in a 2D film of zinc sulfate solution toward a thick zinc metal anode. We measure the distance between adjacent trees, calculate the average for each set, and correlate the latter with probability and entropy. We also obtain a computational image of the grown trees as a function of parameters such as the cell size, number of particles, and sticking probability. The dependence of average distance on concentration is studied and assessed.

Keywords

• electrodeposition
• fractals
• inter-tree distance
• entropy