Crystallization Rates of a Lennard-Jones Liquid

Abstract

The crystallization of a Lennard-Jones liquid has been studied with molecular-dynamics techniques. In particular, the motion of the fcc (100) interface has been measured for a range of temperatures below the melting point. The crystallization rates are not limited by the mobility of atoms in the bulk liquid; measurable rates are even observed below the glass transition temperature. This result suggests the existence of a class of materials which is qualitatively different from conventional glass-forming materials.