Crystallization in Glassy Suspensions of Hard Ellipsoids

TL;DR

This study uses computer simulations to explore how hard ellipsoid suspensions crystallize under rapid compression, revealing that crystallization follows classical nucleation or spinodal decomposition without clear early dynamic indicators.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed simulation analysis of crystallization mechanisms in glassy suspensions of hard ellipsoids, highlighting the lack of dynamic precursors.

Findings

Crystallization occurs via nucleation and growth or spinodal decomposition.

Particle mobility does not predict imminent crystallization.

Crystallization mechanisms are consistent across different supersaturations.

Abstract

We have carried out computer simulations of overcompressed suspensions of hard monodisperse ellipsoids and observed their crystallization dynamics. The system was compressed very rapidly in order to reach the regime of slow, glass-like dynamics. We find that, although particle dynamics become sub-diffusive and the intermediate scattering function clearly develops a shoulder, crystallization proceeds via the usual scenario: nucleation and growth for small supersaturations, spinodal decomposition for large supersaturations. In particular, we compared the mobility of the particles in the regions where crystallization set in with the mobility in the rest of the system. We did not find any signature in the dynamics of the melt that pointed towards the imminent crystallization events.