title: A two-parameter extension of classical nucleation theory.
abstract: A two-variable stochastic model for diffusion-limited nucleation is developed using a formalism derived from fluctuating hydrodynamics. The model is a direct generalization of the standard classical nucleation theory (CNT). The nucleation rate and pathway are calculated in the weak-noise approximation and are shown to be in good agreement with direct numerical simulations for the weak-solution/strong-solution transition in globular proteins. We find that CNT underestimates the time needed for the formation of a critical cluster by two orders of magnitude and that this discrepancy is due to the more complex dynamics of the two variable model and not, as often is assumed, a result of errors in the estimation of the free energy barrier.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nonlinear Phenomena and Complex Systems, Code Postal 231, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Blvd. du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lutsko
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Durán-Olivencia
mesh_terms: D004058:Diffusion; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013816:Thermodynamics