Damage spreading in confined geometries and the influence of boundary conditions: a Monte Carlo study of the Ising ferromagnet

The spreading of damage in the Ising ferromagnet in two-dimensional confined geometries of size L×M (L M) close to the critical temperature is studied by means of computer simulations. Imposing both, periodic and open boundary conditions along the M-direction, the influence of the interfaces between domains of spins having opposite orientation on the spreading of damage can be studied. Analyzing the spatio-temporal evolution of the damage, it is found that such interfaces not only considerably speed-up the spreading but also cause the enhancement of the damaged area of the sample. These statements are based on the evaluation of relevant exponents which characterize the spatio-temporal spreading of the damage.