Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Condensation in linear wedges formed by semi-infinite walls is a well-established critical phenomenon characterized by the continuous growth of an adsorbed liquid layer as bulk two-phase coexistence is approached. In this study, we investigate condensation in finite-length wedges open at both ends, demonstrating that the process becomes first-order. The open boundaries and finite geometry induce a remarkably rich phase behavior of the confined fluid, exhibiting three distinct types of condensation, reentrant phenomena, and continuous higher-order transitions between condensation states. Through a detailed macroscopic analysis, we derive the conditions for each type of condensation, classify the global phase diagrams, and explore asymptotic behavior in specific limiting cases. The asymptotic predictions are confirmed by a detailed comparison with the numerical solutions of the governing equations.
Source: Physical review. E
Authors: Jiří Janek, Alexandr Malijevský
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4409726530