Beyond Cahn-Hilliard-Cook: Early time behavior of symmetry breaking phase transition kinetics

TL;DR

This paper generalizes the early time ordering theory to solid-to-solid phase transitions involving symmetry breaking, predicting delayed exponential growth and non-Fourier mode objects, consistent with simulation results.

Contribution

It extends the CHC theory to include symmetry-breaking solid-to-solid transitions, introducing new predictions about growth onset and object types.

Findings

Delayed exponential growth after quench

Objects growing exponentially are not necessarily Fourier modes

Theory aligns with simulation results for antiferromagnetic Ising model

Abstract

We extend the early time ordering theory of Cahn, Hilliard, and Cook (CHC) so that our generalized theory applies to solid-to-solid transitions. Our theory involves spatial symmetry breaking (the initial phase contains a symmetry not present in the final phase). The predictions of our generalization differ from those of the CHC theory in two important ways: exponential growth does not begin immediately following the quench, and the objects that grow exponentially are not necessarily Fourier modes. Our theory is consistent with simulation results for the long-range antiferromagnetic Ising model.