A phenomenological theory of nonphotochemical laser induced nucleation

TL;DR

This paper presents a phenomenological theory explaining nonphotochemical laser-induced nucleation as initiated by metallic particles, providing insights into the electric field's role in nucleation despite the final products being dielectric crystals.

Contribution

It introduces a new theory linking metallic precursor particles to dielectric crystal formation in laser-induced nucleation, addressing a paradox in experimental observations.

Findings

Metallic particles are the nucleation initiators.

Electric field induces elongated metallic particles.

The theory accounts for experimental data.

Abstract

Our analysis of the experimental data related to nonphotochemical laser induced nucleation in solutions leads to the inevitable conclusion that the phase transformation is initiated by particles that are metallic in nature. This conclusion appears paradoxical because the final products are dielectric crystals. We show that the experimental results are well accounted for by the theory of electric field induced nucleation of metallic particles that are elongated in the direction of the field. However, new physical and chemical insights are required to understand the structure of the metallic precursor particles and the kinetics of subsequent dielectric crystallization.