RECONSIDERATIONS OF NUCLEATION THEORY

Abstract

There are quantum statistical contributions to the free energy of formation of embryos and critical nuclei in transformations to condensed phases. They arise from consideration of the absolute entropy of the embryos or nuclei. In the case of homogeneous nucleation of water droplets from vapor the factor of increase in equilibrium concentration of critical nuclei is about 10 to the 17th power, resulting in a discrepancy of corresponding magnitude between the Becker-Doering equation and the critical supersaturation measurements. It is sugges ed that some of this disagreement may be removed by treating the problem as a transient rather than a steady-state situation and considering nonaccommodation in the smaller size classes. Also there is an appreciable quantum statistical effect in homogeneous nucleation of crystals from the supercooled liquid and a related effect in nucleation from the vapor of crystals on substrates. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0264868

Entities

People

  • G.m. Pound
  • Jens Lothe

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arrhenius Equation
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Free Energy
  • Mathematics
  • Measurement
  • Nucleation
  • Steady State
  • Substrates
  • Supersaturation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Quantum Computing