A general theory for phase change kinetics with universal growth exponents

Abstract

A general theoretical model is presented for the kinetics of phase changes which remains valid in the saturation regime. In contrast with the well known power law, L = A( T) t x , all stages of ordering, i.e. nucleation, growth and saturation, are taken into account. This power law is a special case valid only in the pure growth regime. The model provides, for the first time, a simple interpretation of the prefactor A( T) as the product of the growth rate and the linear density of nuclei. An analysis of both simulated and experimental data for adsorbate ordering in two dimensions is presented.