Effects of gravity on equilibrium crystal shapes: Droplets hung on a wall

Abstract

General properties of equilibrium crystal shapes pinned on a vertical wall and subject to gravity are sought. For two-dimensional crystals, or three-dimensional ones with axial symmetry held in suitable geometries, we are able to express the results in terms of the well-known gravity-free Wulff-Winterbottom shapes. All results are valid for an arbitrary, given, orientation-dependent surface-tension function.