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Domain wall formation in the Cahn-Hilliard-Cook equation
1Los Alamos National Laboratory, Theory Division T-6, MS B288, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA. dziarmaga@t6-serv.lanl.gov
Summary
Domain wall formation during phase transitions is examined. Wall density depends on quench rate, scaling with the sixth root for equal concentrations and the square root for unequal ones.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Phase transitions involve changes in material states.
- Domain walls form during these transitions.
- The Cahn-Hilliard-Cook equation models phase separation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate domain wall formation during phase-separating transitions.
- To analyze the scaling of domain wall density with quench rate.
- To study the relationship between domain wall density and temperature front velocity.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the Cahn-Hilliard-Cook equation.
- Analyzing scaling laws for domain wall density.
- Investigating inhomogeneous transition dynamics.
Main Results:
- Domain wall density scales with the sixth root of quench rate for equal component concentrations.
- Domain wall density scales with the square root of quench rate for unequal component concentrations.
- For slow inhomogeneous transitions, domain wall density is linear with temperature front velocity.
Conclusions:
- The study quantifies domain wall density scaling during phase separation.
- Findings provide insights into the kinetics of phase transitions.
- Results are relevant for materials undergoing rapid cooling or heating.