Dynamics of atoms in a condensing cluster.
The dynamics of single particles in a cluster on condensation from the supersaturated vapor phase is studied by a kinetic approach. An insight into the distinctive flow field in the vicinity of a cluster is obtained for initial and late stage evolution. Inside the core the single atoms diffuse freely and the initial velocity decays rapidly with time. In the interfacial region between the cluster core and the vapor, the surface pressure produces a directed radial motion and a long time radial drift into the cluster core. Far from the cluster, the atoms move in the vapor state of low density and high diffusion constant. The mean square displacement and the velocity correlation lend support to the results and are compared with recent molecular dynamics simulations on a nucleating argon cluster.
ten Bosch
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Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS 6622, Parc Valrose, F-06108 Nice Cedex 2, France. tenbosch@unice.fr