Stochastic Dynamics of Thin Liquid Films

It has been suggested that stochastic thermal fluctuations directly affect the dynamics and stability of thin liquid films. We investigate this by comparing atomistic simulations of spreading drops with predictions from stochastically forced lubrication equations. Initially the drops spread according to Tanner’s law, l ∼ t^1/7, but then accelerate as predicted for cases where fluctuating thermal stresses govern the process.