Rate of ice formation in supercooled water

Abstract

Abstract In this paper we argue that the form of the crystallisation curves obtained for supercooled water and benzene can be explained by assuming a two-step process. This hypothesis can also give a phenomenological explanation of the behaviour of a system subject to precooling, as well as the rate dependence on the crystallisation. We predict how the onset time will depend on the duration of the precooling. We give a number of arguments to support the idea of an intermediate phase. The description does not rely on small fluctuations in order to trigger the crystallisation process.