Surface crystallization of amorphous solid water.
We demonstrate that the crystallization of thin, supported amorphous solid water layers is initiated at the water surface. This is concluded from the observation of sequential crystallization of amorphous water at the surface, in the bulk, and at the water-support interface. A surface nucleation model quantitatively reproduces the observed transformation kinetics at the three sites.
Backus
Ellen H G
EH
Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
Grecea
Mihail L
ML
Kleyn
Aart W
AW
Bonn
Mischa
M