Kinetics of phase transitions: Theory of Ostwald ripening

Abstract

A new derivation is presented for the last stage of phase separation in the kinetics of a first order phase transition, precipitation, where Ostwald ripening is the dominant mechanism. We use a time scaling technique and derive the power law time dependence and distribution function for the size of the particles of the new phase. Equations are derived for the correction terms to the distribution function and power laws. The derivation clarifies and corrects prior work.