The 5th : Seminar on Mathematics for various disciplines

Place :: Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences the University of Tokyo, Room #056

Programme :

Etsuro Yokoyama (Gakushuin University): Oscillatory growth of a crystal controlled by interface kinetics and transport process

ABSTRACT:: Periodic texture in a crystal -such as growth banding and growth striations- are believed to be caused by oscillatory growth. The origin of oscillatory growth falls into two categories, i.e., external and internal. Since the growth rate of a crystal depends strongly on the growth conditions, periodic changes of external conditions, such as temperature, concentration, convection etc., are common reasons for explaining oscillatory growth. On the other hand, it is thought that oscillatory growth can also have an internal cause, but there is no clear understanding. In this talk we propose the hypothesis of a hysteresis behaviour of growth rate to explain the formation of periodic structures of a growing crystal without a change of external conditions. Recently, evidence for our hypothesis is observed not only in the growth of a crystal but also in the motion of steps on the surface of crystals. Possibly such self-oscillatory growth can be controlled in experiments in near future.

5th Seminar on Mathematics for various disciplines