Reconsiderations of Nucleation Theory

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Abstract
There are quantum statistical contributions to the free energy of formation of embryos and critical nuclei in transformations to condensed phases. They arise from consideration of the absolute entropy of the embryos or nuclei. In the case of homogeneous nucleation of water droplets from vapor the factor of increase in equilibrium concentration of critical nuclei is about 1017, resulting in a discrepancy of corresponding magnitude between the Becker‐Doering equation and the critical supersaturation measurements of Wilson and Powell. It is suggested that some of this disagreement may be removed by treating the problem as a transient rather than a steady‐state situation and considering non‐accommodation in the smaller size classes. Also there is an appreciable quantum statistical effect in homogeneous nucleation of crystals from the supercooled liquid and a related effect in nucleation from the vapor of crystals on substrates.

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