|
· Both the Gibbs function barrier
to stable nucleus formation, ΔG*,
and the radius of this critical nucleus, r*, depend on the
degree of cooling below the phase equilibrium temperature, TE. · As (TE - T) goes to
zero, both parameters go to infinity. · As
(TE - T) goes to TE , i.e. T goes to zero,
{TE /(TE - T)} goes to unity. · The effect of the variation in ΔG* is particularly important because it appears
exponentially in the Boltzmann
probability of acquiring this energy from the
thermal
fluctuations of the sample.
|
|
|