Limit theorems for monolayer ballistic deposition in the continuum (Q5956958)

The author proves a spatial law of large numbers and a central limit theorem for an infinite-input continuum model for sequential deposition of colloidal particles onto an adsorption surface (or substrate), which has received attention in its own right on grounds of realism, namely, a form of monolayer ballistic deposition representing deposition in the presence of a gravitational field. Each incoming particle occupies a Euclidean ball of radius \(\rho\) in \(\mathbb{R}^{d+1}\), with \(d=2\) or \(d=1\); the \((d+1)\)st coordinate represents ``height''. An incoming particle falls perpendicularly from above towards a substrate represented by the surface \(\mathbb{R}^d\times \{0\}\subset \mathbb{R}^{d+1}\), which is identified with the lower-dimensional space \(\mathbb{R}^d\) or a subregion thereof. Its downward motion is vertical until it hits the substrate or one of the particles previously adsorbed. If it contacts a previously deposited particle, then the new particle rools, following the path of steepest descent, until it reaches a stable position. If the new particle reaches the adsorption surface, it is fixed there; otherwise it is removed from the system. The results are stated and proved only for \(d=2\) as changing to \(d=1\) making things easier.