Numerical study of the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation

Vladimir G. Miranda, F. D. A. Aarao Reis

Published 2008-06-03Version 1

We integrate numerically the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions using an Euler discretization scheme and the replacement of ${(\nabla h)}^2$ by exponentially decreasing functions of that quantity to suppress instabilities. When applied to the equation in 1+1 dimensions, the method of instability control provides values of scaling amplitudes consistent with exactly known results, in contrast to the deviations generated by the original scheme. In 2+1 dimensions, we spanned a range of the model parameters where transients with Edwards-Wilkinson or random growth are not bserved, in box sizes $8\leq L\leq 128$. We obtain roughness exponent $0.37\leq \alpha\leq 0.40$ and steady state height distributions with skewness $S= 0.25\pm 0.01$ and kurtosis $Q= 0.15\pm 0.1$. These estimates are obtained after extrapolations to the large $L$ limit, which is necessary due to significant finite-size effects in the estimates of effective exponents and height distributions. On the other hand, the steady state roughness distributions show weak scaling corrections and evidence of stretched exponentials tails. These results confirm previous estimates from lattice models, showing their reliability as representatives of the KPZ class.