Asymmetry of dynamics at the growing crystal-melt interface

Abstract

Dynamic light-scattering measurements on the $b$ face of a salol crystal growing into the melt revealed simultaneous lateral translation dynamics on the crystal surface and slow relaxational dynamics in a thin boundary layer of melt adjacent to the crystal. Analysis of the translational dynamics shows that crystal growth is mediated by highly polygonized screw dislocations. An explanation is suggested for the relaxational dynamics based on the dynamics of nematic liquid crystals.