Abstract
A theory of condensation is proposed for an open system in which the growth rate varies with the number of particles and the total particle concentration (supersaturation flux) varies with the time as described by power laws with arbitrary exponents (indices). It is established that the distribution of nuclei with respect to their sizes z, which is formed at the nucleation stage, is subject to fluctuational blurring. The dependence of the distribution width on the average size z is related in a nontrivial manner to the values of the growth and flux indices. Conditions for the onset of the Ostwald ripening (OR) stage in the system are analyzed with allowance for fluctuations in the number of particles. It is shown that the Kukushkin-Osipov criterion remains valid, since the transition curve occurs in a region where the distribution width grows slower than z. At the same time, the form of the initial condition and the character of evolution of the distribution at the OR stage significantly vary under the action of fluctuations.
Published Version
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