title: Two-step crystallization kinetics in colloidal hard-sphere systems.
abstract: The crystallization kinetics of colloidal hard spheres was studied using a special Bragg spectrometer with high sensitivity. In contrast with the classical scenario we observe a two-step nucleation process: the number of crystallites increases slowly at early times, followed by a dramatic reduction at intermediate times, prior to undergoing a rapid increase at late times. We explain these results in terms of a polydispersity limited growth of crystallites, where the crystallization at early times is governed by local fractionation processes, leading to a long delay prior to final crystallization.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans Joachim
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schöpe
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Megen