MOLECULAR THEORY OF VAPOR-PHASE NUCLEATION - THE PHYSICALLY CONSISTENT CLUSTER

A statistical mechanical theory is developed to demonstrate that the appropriate (natural and consistent) physical cluster (to be used in a molecular theory of the nucleation of drops in supersaturated vapor far from the critical temperature) is that introduced by Reiss, Katz, and Cohen as well as by Lee, Barker, and Abraham - modified to account for the effects of the surrounding vapor. This modification allows the constraining spherical shell centered on the cluster's center of mass to not be a constraint at all, but only a procedural device for organizing the derivation. Indeed, the shell can have variable volumes, natural to the system. The properties of the nucleus can then be established in a truly consistent molecular manner by Monte Carlo simulation. It appears as though the new development represents a very substantial advance in the molecular theory of vapor phase nucleation. © 1990 American Institute of Physics.