145 research outputs found
Influence of Strain on the Kinetics of Phase Transitions in Solids
We consider a sharp interface kinetic model of phase transitions accompanied
by elastic strain, together with its phase-field realization. Quantitative
results for the steady-state growth of a new phase in a strip geometry are
obtained and different pattern formation processes in this system are
investigated
Magnetic phase separation in ordered alloys
We present a lattice model to study the equilibrium phase diagram of ordered
alloys with one magnetic component that exhibits a low temperature phase
separation between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases. The model is
constructed from the experimental facts observed in CuAlMn and it
includes coupling between configurational and magnetic degrees of freedom which
are appropriated for reproducing the low temperature miscibility gap. The
essential ingredient for the occurrence of such a coexistence region is the
development of ferromagnetic order induced by the long-range atomic order of
the magnetic component. A comparative study of both mean-field and Monte Carlo
solutions is presented. Moreover, the model may enable the study of the
structure of the ferromagnetic domains embedded in the non-magnetic matrix.
This is relevant in relation to phenomena such as magnetoresistance and
paramagnetism.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev.
Droplet Fluctuations in the Morphology and Kinetics of Martensites
We derive a coarse grained, free-energy functional which describes droplet
configurations arising on nucleation of a product crystal within a parent. This
involves a new `slow' vacancy mode that lives at the parent-product interface.
A mode-coupling theory suggests that a {\it slow} quench from the parent phase
produces an equilibrium product, while a {\it fast} quench produces a
metastable martensite. In two dimensions, the martensite nuclei grow as
`lens-shaped' strips having alternating twin domains, with well-defined front
velocities. Several empirically known structural and kinetic relations drop out
naturally from our theory.Comment: 4 pages, REVTEX, and 3 .eps figures, compressed and uuencoded,
Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
Delayed Appearance of High Altitude Retinal Hemorrhages
When closely examined, a very large amount of climbers exhibit retinal hemorrhages during exposure to high altitudes. The incidence of retinal hemorrhages may be greater than previously appreciated as a definite time lag was observed between highest altitude reached and development of retinal bleeding. Retinal hemorrhages should not be considered warning signs of impending severe altitude illness due to their delayed appearance
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