Dominant Effect of Heterogeneous Dynamics on Homogenous Crystal Nucleation in Supercooled Liquids

Abstract

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Understanding the microscopic (molecular) mechanism of crystal nucleation remains intangible. For instance, it is still impossible to predict in which regions of a supercooled liquid nucleation will occur. Moreover, allegedly the Classical Nucleation Theory fails to describe the homogeneous crystal nucleation rates below the glass transition temperature. In this mini-review article, we revisit, critically comment, and link some highly selected recent studies using examples of an oxide glass-former, water, and a metallic alloy on the largely neglected effect of dynamic heterogeneities on crystal nucleation.

Keywords

• nucleation
• crystallization
• dynamic heterogeneity
• supercooled liquid
• glass