Size-dependent superheating in confined Pb(111) films

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to explore superheating in Pb(111) films confined in an Al(111) matrix. The size dependence of the superheating has been investigated by varying the film size and keeping the host matrix unchanged. Melting is found to initiate in the interior of the film, which suggests intrinsic homogeneous nucleation. The superheating is found to be dependent on the size of the film. Superheating up to 115 K above the bulk melting temperature is achieved. A good agreement between the theoretical calculations, experimental value and the simulated results is obtained.