Numerical modeling of the spatial distribution of particles at an early stage of phase separation in glasses

Abstract

The pairwise correlation function of particles at the nucleation stage is numerically modeled, using the model of diffusion-limited nucleation phase separation. The model takes into account the spatial inhomogeneity of the nucleation intensity, caused by the formation of diffusion zones around the particles. The results of the calculations showed that the spatial distribution of the particles is random at an early stage of the nucleation and is characterized by elements of close-range ordering at the final stage of the nucleation. The ordering elements entail interference effects in the scattering of light by a system of particles and accordingly a reduction of the scattering and extinction coefficients by a factor of 2 by comparison with the case of independent scattering of light by particles. The results of the calculations are in agreement with the results of an experimental study of the structure of a liquating sodium-borosilicate glass.