Heterogeneous decay of metastable phase on various centers-1

TL;DR

This paper develops an analytical theory for the decay of a metastable phase on various heterogeneous centers, exploring asymptotic cases and providing intermediate solutions with numerical and analytical validation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analytical framework for decay processes in systems with multiple types of heterogeneous centers, including asymptotic and intermediate solutions.

Findings

Analysis of asymptotic decay cases

Development of a general intermediate solution

Numerical estimates supporting the theory

Abstract

A system of a metastable phase with several sorts of heterogeneous centers is considered. An analytical theory for the process of decay in such a system has been constructed. The free energy of formation of a critical embryo is assumed to be known in the macroscopic approach. At first all asymptotic cases are investigated and then a general intermediate solution is suggested. All approximate transformations are accomplished with the corresponding numerical estimates and analytical justifications. This is the first part of the manuscript, the second part is cond-mat/0210619 .