FLUCTUATION OF THE NUMBER OF PARTICLES DEPOSITED ON A FLAT SURFACE BYA RANDOM SEQUENTIAL ADSORPTION MECHANISM

The problem of the fluctuations of the number n of particles adsorbed on surfaces through a random sequential adsorption process is discusse d. Attention is paid, in particular, to the effect of the size of the adsorbing surfaces upon the variance sigma(2)(n) of this number. On th e basis of computer simulations, it is shown that sigma(2)(n) is not p roportional to the area a of the surface but can be written as a sum o f three contributions, which are proportional to alpha, alpha(1/2), an d alpha(0). A theoretical estimate based on the relation between the r adial distribution function g(r) and the fluctuation is presented and provides a basis for these findings. This analysis is of general valid ity and can, in particular, also be applied to the equilibrium case (i n the absence of a phase transition) and to the ballistic deposition p rocess.