The Renaissance of the Becker–D¨oring–Zeldovich Theory of Nucleation Kinetics

Abstract

The classical theory of nucleation kinetics was developed in works of Becker, D¨oring, and Zeldovich. The problem of huge discrepancy between experimental data about nucleation rate and theoretical results, based on the classical theory of nucleation kinetics, is discussed. Two drawbacks of classical theory are considered: application only isothermal nucleation kinetics and neglecting of microstructure of supersaturation field. It was shown that for the same temperature and supersaturation nonisothermal nucleation kinetics decreases the value of nucleation rate on 1–2 orders. For high nucleation rates the correct calculation of the microstructure of the supersaturation field can substantially, on several orders of nucleation rate, decreases this discrepancy.