Correlated percolation in island-forming processes: Analysis of cooperative filling on a square lattice

Abstract

Percolation transitions are analyzed for correlated distributions of occupied sites created by irreversible cooperative filling on a square lattice. Filling can be either autocatalytic, corresponding to island formation, or autoinhibitory. Here percolation problems for occupied and unoccupied clusters are generally distinct. Our discussion focuses on the influence of island formation (associated with correlation lengths of many lattice vectors), and of island perimeter roughness, on percolation. We also discuss the transition to continuum percolation problems as the ratio of island growth to nucleation rates, and thus the average island size, diverges. Some direct analysis of occupied cluster structure is provided, the connection with correlated animals is made, and correlated spreading and walking algorithms are suggested for direct generation of clusters and their perimeters.