Interplay between jamming and percolation upon random sequential adsorption of competing dimers and monomers

Abstract

The competitive random coadsorption of dimers and monomers, with probabilities [formula presented] and [formula presented] such as [formula presented] respectively, is studied numerically by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Excluded volume and nearest-neighbor infinite repulsion between unlike species is considered. The subtle interplay between competitive coadsorption, jamming behavior and the emergency of percolation clusters is analyzed in detail. Taking [formula presented] as the single parameter of the model, five characteristic regions where the system exhibit different physical behavior can be identified: I) For [formula presented] the standard percolation of dimers is observed; II) Within the interval [formula presented] clusters of all species (monomers, dimers, and empty sites) are finite (nonpercolating); III) For [formula presented] the percolation of homogeneous clusters of empty sites is observed; IV) Within the interval [formula presented] the system behaves as in Region II; and finally, V) For [formula presented] one has the standard percolation of monomers. © 2002 The American Physical Society.