Mean-field description of spinodal growth of surface waves on rupturing films

In this paper, we examine the extent to which the mean-field theory is applicable to the description of the growth of surface waves on a rupturing polystyrene film coated on an oxide-covered silicon that is known to be spinodal unstable. We find that good agreement between theory and experiment is obtainable if corrections due to non-linear effects and stochastic thermal fluctuations are considered.