Kinetic theory of nucleation in multicomponent systems: An application of the thermodynamic extremum principle

Abstract Nucleation kinetics in a multicomponent supersaturated solid solution is examined. Attachment rate of atoms to a nucleus of a size close to the critical one is determined combining a thermodynamic extremum principle and the Fokker-Planck equation. Two limiting cases are examined; when bulk diffusion controls the nucleation kinetics and when the process is limited by the interfacial mobility. The mixed regime is also treated. Moreover, the growth law in multicomponent alloys is derived in the general case, when both mechanisms are considered. Additionally, the attachment rate is derived, in the classical framework, from a new macroscopic growth equations and the fundamental role of the interfacial mobility is examined. These new general expressions, for the attachment rates and the growth laws, determined either applying the thermodynamic extremum principle or derived from the classical formalism are found to be consistent.