Heterogeneous Nucleation and Fisher's Droplet Picture

Abstract

Corrections to the classical theory of heterogeneous nucleation on ions and small "dust" particles are calculated for water with Fisher's droplet picture. Our results do not differ greatly from Fletcher's and other classical theories; but our derivations should give a more unified and reliable description of the preexponential factors in the nucleation rate. If the vapor contains small dust particles (~ 10 Å) and ions, then at low temperatures the nucleation will occur mainly on small particles, at intermediate temperatures on ions, and near the critical point homogeneous nucleation will dominate. We suggest measuring such temperature-dependent effects.