Fractal Growth

The rich variety of complicated patterns in nature can be successfully modelled by simple fractal growth models which capture the essential physics behind the associated phenomena. Computer simulations of such aggregation models have been playing an imortant role in our understanding of far-from equilibrium growth processes. Designed to complement Tamas Vicsek's best-selling text on "Fractal Growth Phenomena", this software contains 12 programmes which are ideal for demonstrating on IBM XT/AT and compatible personal computers with major video standards (CGA, Hercules, EGA and VGA) how aggregation phenomena may lead to objects with non-integer dimensionality. Important features are: (i) The programmes are menu driven and a short description of each type of phenomena (ballistic aggregation, Eden growth, diffusion-limited aggregation and local growth models) is readily accessible from the menu, (ii) The Turbo Pascal source files are included so that the owner of the package can modify them in order to get further insight into the simulated growth process. This fractal growth software should be useful for physics, chemistry and biology students and researchers who would like to deepen their understanding of far-from equilibrium growth phenomena through direct observation of the growth of physically motivated fractal patterns.