Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Homogeneous Nucleation

  • Published:
Journal of Statistical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Significant progress has been made in recent years in measuring homogeneous nucleation rates in a variety of liquid–vapor and liquid–solid transitions. These studies have revealed serious shortcomings of classical nucleation theory. New theoretical work and simulation studies of simplified model systems have provided a better understanding of homogeneous nucleation, but many challenges remain. This article summarizes some recent developments, with an emphasis on the field-theoretic approach pioneered by Cahn and Hilliard in their study of nucleation in a two-component incompressible fluid in 1959.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. D. W. Oxtoby, Acc. Chem. Res. 31:91 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  2. K. F. Kelton, in Solid State Physics, Vol. 45, H. Ehrenreich and D. Turnbull, eds. (Academic Press, Boston, 1991), p. 75.

    Google Scholar 

  3. H. Reiss, W. K. Kegel, and J. L. Katz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 78:4506 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  4. J. W. Cahn and J. E. Hilliard, J. Chem. Phys. 28:258 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  5. J. W. Cahn and J. E. Hilliard, J. Chem. Phys. 31:688 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  6. L. S. Bartell, in Theoretical Aspects and Computer Modeling, A. Gavezzotti, ed. (John Wiley and Sons, 1997), p. 147.

  7. L. S. Bartell, Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 49:43 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  8. A. Laaksonen, V. Talanquer, and D. W. Oxtoby, Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 46:489 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  9. D. W. Oxtoby, J. Phys. Condens. Matter 4:7627 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  10. D. Wu, in Solid State Physics, H. Ehrenreich and F. Spaepen, eds. 50:37 (1996).

  11. J. W. Gibbs, Collected Works, Vol. 1 (Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut, 1948), pp. 105–115, 252–258.

    Google Scholar 

  12. R. Becker and W. Doring, Ann. Phys. 24:719 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  13. M. Volmer and A. Weber, Z. Phys. Chem. 119:277 (1925).

    Google Scholar 

  14. J. Frenkel, J. Chem. Phys. 7:538 (1939).

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. Frenkel, Kinetic Theory of Liquids (Dover, New York, 1955).

    Google Scholar 

  16. D. Turnbull and J. C. Fisher, J. Chem. Phys. 17:71 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  17. D. Turnbull, J. Chem. Phys. 18:198 (1950).

    Google Scholar 

  18. D. Turnbull, J. Chem. Phys. 20:411 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  19. L. S. Bartell and J. Huang, Molecular Dynamics Investigation of the Nucleation Barrier and Prefactor in the Freezing of (NaCl) Clusters. Preprint (1998).

  20. J. Huang, X. Zhu, and L. S. Bartell, J. Phys. Chem. A 102:2708 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  21. V. P. Kovera and V. P. Skripov, Metastable States and Liquid Crystal Phase Transitions MELTS, 283 (1988) [translated by Consultants Bureau, New York, from Rasplavy, Vol. 1, pp. 3–27 (1987)].

  22. V. P. Kopera, N. M. Bogdanov, and V. P. Skripov, J. Non-Crystalline Solids 57:203 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  23. J. Huang and L. S. Bartell, J. Phys. Chem. 99:3924 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  24. L. S. Bartell and S. Xu, J. Phys. Chem. 99:10446 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  25. L. S. Bartell and J. Chen, J. Phys. Chem. 99:12444 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  26. K. E. Kinney and L. S. Bartell, in J. Chem. Phys. 100:15416 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  27. L. S. Bartell, J. Chem. Phys. 99:1080 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  28. L. S. Bartell, J. Phys. Chem. 100:8197 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  29. J. Huang, W. Lu, and L. S. Bartell, J. Phys. Chem. 100:14276 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  30. F. Spaepen, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 178:15 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  31. F. Spaepen, Solid State Phys. 47:1 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  32. D. W. Oxtoby and R. Evans, J. Chem. Phys. 89:7521 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  33. X. C. Zeng and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 104:3726 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  34. X. C. Zeng and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 94:4472 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  35. C. K. Bagdassarian and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 100:2139 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  36. V. Talanquer and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 109:223 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  37. V. Talanquer and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 106:3673 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Y. C. Shen and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 105:6517 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Y. C. Shen and D. W. Oxtoby, Phys. Rev. Lett. 77:3585 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  40. V. Talanquer and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 100:5190 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  41. D. W. Oxtoby and P. R. Harrowell, J. Chem. Phys. 96:3834 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  42. P. Harrowell and D. W. Oxtoby, J. Chem. Phys. 80:1639 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  43. G. W. Adams, J. L. Schmitt, and R. A. Zalabsky, J. Chem. Phys. 81:5074 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  44. C. Hung, M. J. Kransnopoler, and J. L. Katz, J. Chem. Phys. 90:1856 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  45. P. E. Wagner and R. Strey, J. Chem. Phys. 80:5266 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  46. J. S. Langer, Ann. Phys. 41:108 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  47. J. S. Langer and L. A. Turski, Phys. Rev. A 28:3230 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  48. J. S. Langer, in Systems Far From Equilibrium, Lecture Notes on Physics, No. 132, (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  49. L. A. Turski and J. S. Langer, Phys. Rev. A 22:2189 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  50. L. Granasy, S. Jordery, I. M. Reaney, W. E. Lee, and P. F. James, “Crystal Nucleation in Oxide Glasses, ” presented at the 18th Inter. Congress on Glasses (San Francisco, CA, July 5–10, 1998).

  51. L. Granasy and P. F. James, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 454:1 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  52. L. Granasy, J. Non-Crystal. Solids 219:49 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  53. L. Granasy and F. Igloi, J. Chem. Phys. 107:3634 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  54. L. Granasy, J. Phys. Chem. 100:10768 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  55. L. Granasy, J. Chem. Phys. 104:5188 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  56. L. Granary, Europhys. Lett. 24:121 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  57. M. J. Mandell, J. P. McTague, and A. Rahman, J. Chem. Phys. 66:3079 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  58. J. G. Kirkwood and E. Monroe, J. Chem. Phys. 9:514 (1941).

    Google Scholar 

  59. C. S. Hsu and A. Rahman, J. Chem. Phys. 71:4974 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  60. S. Nose and F. Yonezawa, J. Chem. Phys. 84:1803 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  61. R. Eppenga and D. Frenkel, Mol. Phys. 52:1303 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  62. J. D. Honeycutt and H. C. Andersen, J. Chem. Phys. 91:4950 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  63. L. A. Baez and P. Clancy, J. Chem. Phys. 102:8138 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  64. W. C. Swope and H. C. Andersen, Phys. Rev. B 41:7042 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  65. P. R. ten Wolde, M. J. Ruiz-Montero, and Daan Frenkel, J. Chem. Phys. 104:9932 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  66. P. R. ten Wolde and D. Frenkel, Science 277:1975 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  67. P. R. ten Wolde, D. W. Oxtoby, and D. Frenkel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 81:3695 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  68. C. Unger and W. Klein, Phys. Rev. B 29:2698 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  69. C. Unger and W. Klein, Phys. Rev. B 31:6127 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  70. W. Klein and F. Leyvraz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 57:2845 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  71. D. W. Heermann, W. Klein, and D. Stauffer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 49:1262 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  72. M. Novotny, W. Klein, and P. Rikvold, Phys. Rev. B 33:7729 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  73. D. W. Heermann and W. Klein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 50:1062 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  74. J. Yang, H. Gould and W. Klein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 60:2665 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  75. J. Mang, H. Gould, W. Klein, and R. D. Mountain, J. Chem. Phys. 93:711 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  76. L. Monette and W. Klein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 68:2336 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  77. S. Alexander and J. P. McTague, Phys. Rev. Lett. 41:702 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  78. K. Kaski, K. Binder, and J. D. Gunton, Phys. Rev B 29:3996 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  79. J. D. Gunton and M. Droz, Lecture Notes in Physics, Vol. 183, J. Zittartz, ed. (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1983).

    Google Scholar 

  80. J. D. Gunton, M. San Miguel, and P. S. Sahni, in Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena, Vol. 8, C. Domb and J. L. Lebowitz, eds. (Academic Press, New York, 1983).

    Google Scholar 

  81. K. R. Elder, F. Drolet, M. Grant, and J. M. Kosterlitz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 72:677 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  82. K. R. Elder, J. D. Gunton, and M. Grant, Phys. Rev. E 54:6476 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  83. M. Grant and J. D. Gunton, Phys. Rev. B 32:7299 (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  84. A. Roy, J. M. Rickman, J. D. Gunton, and K. R. Elder, Phys. Rev. E 57:2610 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  85. J. Q. Broughton, G. H. Gilmer, and K. A. Jackson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 49:1496 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  86. C. Sagui, D. S. O'Gorman, and Martin Grant, Phys. Rev. E 56:R21 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  87. C. Sagui and M. Grant, Theory of Nucleation and Growth During Phase Separation. Preprint (1998).

  88. Y. B. Zeldovich, Acta Physicochim. (USSR) 18:1 (1943).

    Google Scholar 

  89. E. Burke, J. Q. Broughton, and G. H. Gilmer, J. Chem. Phys. 89:1030 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  90. W. Ostwald, Z. Phys. Chem. 22:289 (1897).

    Google Scholar 

  91. M. Gleiser and A. F. Heckler, Phys. Rev. Lett. 76:180 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  92. G. Gelmini and M. Gleiser, Nucl. Phys. B 419:129 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  93. D. Wright, R. Caldwell, C. Moxeley, and M. S. El-Shall, J. Chem. Phys. 98:3356 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  94. D. Wight and M. S. El-Shall, J. Chem. Phys. 98:3369 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  95. F. F. Abraham, Science 168:833 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  96. J. Lothe and G. M. Pound, J. Chem. Phys. 36:2080 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  97. J. Lothe and G. M. Pound, in Nucleation, A. C. Zettlemoyer, ed. (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1969).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18015

    J. D. Gunton

Authors
  1. J. D. Gunton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gunton, J.D. Homogeneous Nucleation. Journal of Statistical Physics 95, 903–923 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004598332758

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004598332758

Search

Navigation