Research Workshop
Nucleation Theory and Applications

Dubna, Russia, April 3-28, 2000

The general aim of the workshops was and is

• to bring together a number of leading scientists in the field of the theoretical description and experimental investigations of first--order phase transformations of the member countries of JINR and Germany;
• to discuss recent developments in this field with particular emphasis on the work done in the different groups invited;
• to establish and/or tighten direct cooperation links;
• to analyze the limits and possible extensions of the theoretical description of multifragmentation based on nucleation--growth models;
• to check whether the experimental facilities available at the JINR in Dubna can be utilized for an experimental investigation of the kinetics of phase transformation processes in different systems of interest.

These aims could be fully realized as it is evident also from the Workshop proceedings which have been published for the first time in 1999.

The first aim of the 4rd meeting consists in the continuation of the mutual detailed information and discussion of the work done in the different research groups. As it has been the case already in previous years, it is expected that such a discussion will be of great use for all of the participants and initiate further common research projects.

As a second direction, the meeting is aimed for a continuation of a number of common research projects under way. One of the main topics will be the analysis of the problem how the recently developed model of nucleation and growth in freely expanding matter may be applied as an adequate tool for the understanding of multifragmentation in heavy--ion collisions.

As the third aim, a detailed discussion of bubble formation as a special kind of phase formation processes will be continued. This process is till now relatively scarcely studied, however, of great potential interest in a variety of applications. With respect to nuclear theory, particular attention will be directed to a theoretical description of bubble formation and growth in expanding nuclear systems.

As a fourth direction, a comprehensive discussion of pecularities of phase formation under time--varying external conditions is planned to be continued.

As a fifth general topic of discussion, an analysis of different new approaches to the description of nucleation processes is anticipated. Hereby the spectrum of possible applications will range from segregation in solid and liquid solutions, bubble formation in liquids and condensation in gases to crystallization of melts. In the analysis of crystallization processes in melts, particular emphasis will be devoted to the effect of stress development and stress relaxation on nucleation and cluster growth.

The time for the speakers in their lectures is not limited to allow a detailed explanation even of details of the research and an extensive discussion. Nevertheless, to have some order in anticipating the program, commonly 1 1/2 hours are taken as a rough estimate for the duration of one lecture. Thus, changes in the schedule are possible at any time.

The workshop languages are English and Russian. If possible, English should be preferred. If required, from time to time brief summaries of the content in the respective alternative language will be given.

Time--table

• Research and scientific communication meeting in Dubna, April 2000, for a period of one month; hereby the mutual detailed information on the research carried out in the different groups (workshop part) will be covered primarily in the time from April 16 (arrival), till April, 23 (departure) 2000.
• Work on common projects under way (03. 04. -- 29. 04. 2000) by special arrangement.
• Mutual research visits of the participants in the course of the year (in dependence on financial funds available).

Dr. Juern W. P. Schmelzer, Prof. Vyatcheslav B. Priezzhev
Joint Institute for Nuclear Research
Bogoliubov Laboratory of Theoretical Physics
Dubna 141980
Russia