Droplet phases in non-local Ginzburg-Landau models with Coulomb repulsion in two dimensions (Q5962385)

The paper addresses a class of systems that allow for spatial multi-droplet pattern formation as a result of the competition between thermodynamic forces operating on different length scales. Particularly important is frustrating short-range attractive interaction (responsible for aggregation and droplet formation) by long-range repulsive forces of Coulomb type. For two-dimensional systems it is established that under suitable conditions the non-local Ginzburg-Landau energy becomes asymptotically equivalent to a sharp interface energy with screened Coulomb interaction. In the vanishing surface tension limit that interface consists of nearly identical circular droplets of small size separated by large distances. Their distribution becomes uniform throughout the domain. The precise asymptotic limits of the bifurcation threshold, the minimal energy, the droplet radii and the droplet density are obtained.