Dynamics of phase separation in binary systems

Abstract

Abstract The present understanding of the dynamics of phase separation in various binary systems is reviewed and discussed in order to find universal aspects, such as scaling properties of the structure function, the evolution power law of the length scale, and the asymptotic behaviour of the structure function for small and large wave vector and the kinetics of kinks, interfaces and patterns. Emphasis is placed on how the early linear theories of phase separation have been developed, through non-linear theory, to the scaling theories and how computer simulation and experimental observations have confirmed such ideas on historical grounds. The importance of the acquisition of information about the microscopic atomic viewpoint and the macroscopic motion of phase boundaries, clusters and interfaces is stressed in order to advance investigations on this subject in the future.