Eur. Phys. J. E 4, 217-221

Vertical melting of a stack of membranes

M.E.S. Borelli, H. Kleinert and A.M.J. Schakel

Institut für Theoretische Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany

borelli@physik.fu-berlin.de
kleinert@physik.fu-berlin.de
schakel@physik.fu-berlin.de

(Received 26 April 2000 and Received in final form 16 August 2000)

Abstract
A stack of tensionless membranes with nonlinear curvature energy and vertical harmonic interaction is studied. At low temperatures, the system forms a lamellar phase. At a critical temperature, the stack disorders vertically in a melting-like transition.

PACS
82.65.Dp - Thermodynamics of surfaces and interfaces.
68.35.Rh - Phase transitions and critical phenomena.


© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2001