Phase Field Theory of Nucleation and Polycrystalline Pattern Formation

Details Phase Field Theory of Nucleation and Polycrystalline Pattern Formation Phase Field Theory of Nucleation and Polycrystalline Pattern Formation

2007-03-26

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0703676v1

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

48 pages, 42 figures,, Review article, the final version appeared in Handbook of Theoretical and Computational Nanotechnology

Scientific paper

We review our recent modeling of crystal nucleation and polycrystalline growth using a phase field theory. First, we consider the applicability of phase field theory for describing crystal nucleation in a model hard sphere fluid. It is shown that the phase field theory accurately predicts the nucleation barrier height for this liquid when the model parameters are fixed by independent molecular dynamics calculations. We then address various aspects of polycrystalline solidification and associated crystal pattern formation at relatively long timescales. This late stage growth regime, which is not accessible by molecular dynamics, involves nucleation at the growth front to create new crystal grains in addition to the effects of primary nucleation. Finally, we consider the limit of extreme polycrystalline growth, where the disordering effect due to prolific grain formation leads to isotropic growth patterns at long times, i.e., spherulite formation. Our model of spherulite growth exhibits branching at fixed grain misorientations, induced by the inclusion of a metastable minimum in the orientational free energy. It is demonstrated that a broad variety of spherulitic patterns can be recovered by changing only a few model parameters.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Phase Field Theory of Nucleation and Polycrystalline Pattern Formation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Phase Field Theory of Nucleation and Polycrystalline Pattern Formation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Phase Field Theory of Nucleation and Polycrystalline Pattern Formation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-68407