Boundary-reaction-diffusion model for oscillatory zoning in binary crystals grown from solution

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new boundary-reaction-diffusion model for oscillatory zoning in crystals, incorporating diffusion, adsorption, and surface processes, successfully reproducing experimental patterns and critical conditions.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel model that captures the self-organization and layered structures of oscillatory zoning in crystals, improving upon previous models by including detailed surface mechanisms.

Findings

Reproduces experimental oscillatory patterns

Identifies critical supersaturation for OZ onset

Demonstrates synchronization effects in crystal growth

Abstract

Oscillatory Zoning (OZ) is a phenomenon exhibited by many geologically formed crystals. It is characterized by quasi periodic oscillations in the composition of a solid solution, caused by self-organization. We present a new model for OZ. The growth mechanism applied includes species diffusion through the solution bulk, particle adsorption, surface diffusion and subsequently desorption or incorporation into the crystal. This mechanism, in particular, can provide the synchronization effects necessary to reproduce the layered structure of experimentally obtained crystals, lacking in other models. We conduct a linear stability analysis combined with numerical simulations. Our results reproduce the experimental findings with respect to the patterns formed and a critical supersaturation necessary for OZ to occur.