Homogeneous nucleation: theory and experiment

Abstract

Recent theoretical and experimental advances in the study of homogeneous nucleation are reviewed, with emphasis placed on phase transitions involving single-component liquids (condensation, cavitation, and crystallization from the melt). Extensions of classical nucleation theory are described and compared with new experiments that now directly measure nucleation rates. Novel methods of statistical mechanics, including density-functional theory and computer simulations, are presented. The recent rapid evolution of this field has opened up many new questions for further research.