Centurial Discussion on Building Units in Crystal Growth: Kossel vs Balarev

Abstract

AbstractBased on the analysis of the dramatic history of the development of ideas about the nucleation and growth of crystals, we discussed problem of building units in crystal growth. We showed that in the twenty-first century, the competitive advantage in the theory of crystal growth would be shifting to concepts of building units larger than individual atoms and molecules. New experimental data, testifying to the stable existence in crystal-forming media of prenucleation clusters-quatarons or other organized groups of atoms, exactly like the already formed crystalline particles, as well as the facts of the so-called non-classical growth of crystals with their participation allowed solving the old “Kossel vs Balarev” problem in a new way. At least, Balarev's ideas are no longer outsiders in the theory of crystal growth.KeywordsNucleation and growth of crystalsMechanisms of crystal formationGrowth unitsPrenucleation clustersQuataronsNonclassical mechanisms of crystal formation