Nonlinear theory of self-similar crystal growth and melting

Shuwang Li, John S. Lowengrub, Perry H. Leo, Vittorio Cristini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate the existence of noncircular shape-invariant (self-similar) growing and melting two-dimensional crystals. This work is motivated by the recent three-dimensional studies of Cristini and Lowengrub in which the existence of self-similar shapes was suggested using linear analysis (J. Crystal Growth, 240 (2002) 267) and dynamical numerical simulations (J. Crystal Growth 240 (2003) in press). Here, we develop a nonlinear theory of self-similar crystal growth and melting. Because the analysis is qualitatively independent of the number of dimensions, we focus on a perturbed two-dimensional circular crystal growing or melting in a liquid ambient. Using a spectrally accurate quasi-Newton method, we demonstrate that there exist nonlinear self-similar shapes with k-fold dominated symmetries. A critical heat flux Jk is associated with each shape. In the isotropic case, k is arbitrary and only growing solutions exist. When the surface tension is anisotropic, k is determined by the form of the anisotropy and both growing and melting solutions exist. We discuss how these results can be used to control crystal morphologies during growth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)703-713
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Crystal Growth
Volume267
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2004

Keywords

  • A1. Diffusion
  • A1. Morphological stability
  • A1. Mullins-Sekerka instability
  • A1. Quasi-Newton method
  • A2. Compact growth
  • A2. Self-similar

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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