Apparatus for statistical studies of heterogeneous nucleation

Abstract

We report a new instrument for studies of heterogeneous nucleation rates for materials with nucleation temperatures in the range between −30 °C and room temperature. This device is particularly well suited for studies of heterogeneous nucleation of ice from liquid water for a diverse selection of nucleation agents. This instrument allows rapid, automated sampling of nucleation temperatures for a single sample following a specified temperature profile. A complete data set that characterizes the temperature dependence of heterogeneous nucleation rates by a specific substrate can be obtained in a few days. In this article we describe initial studies of icenucleation on borosilicate glass with two different surface treatments.