Kinetics of phase separation in Mn0.67Cu

Abstract

We have examined the kinetics of phase separation in ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.67}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{0.33}$ using time-resolved neutron-scattering techniques. In an early-time regime, the kinetics follows the Cahn-Hilliard-Cook linear theory of spinodal decomposition. There is an intermediate stage. Then, at a late time, dynamic scaling is obeyed. The time dependence of the wave vector at maximum scattering intensity (which is inversely proportional to the average linear domain size) can be well described over the entire late-time regime and much of the intermediate-time regime by arguments recently put forward for earlier-time corrections to the limitingly late-time stages of phase separation.