TOPOLOGY, DYNAMICS AND FINITE-SIZE EFFECTS OF A KINETIC GROWTH-MODEL

Ramified polymerization is studied through computational simulations o n the square lattice of a kinetic growth model generalized to incorpor ate branching and impurities. The polymer configuration is identified with a bond tree in order to examine its topology. The fractal dimensi ons of clusters are obtained at criticality. Simulations also allow th e study of time evolution of clusters as well as the determination of time autocorrelations and dynamical critical exponents. In regard to f inite size effects, a fourth-order cumulant technique is employed to e stimate the critical branching probability b(c) and the critical ponen ts nu and beta. Finally, for the case when impurities are not present, the surface roughness is described in terms of the Hurst exponents.