Competition of glass and crystal: Phase‐field model

Abstract

The phase‐field model for the description of the solidification processes with the glass‐crystal competition is suggested. The model combines the first‐order phase transition model in the phase‐field formalism and gauge‐field theory of glass transition. We present a self‐consistent system of stochastic motion equations for unconserved order parameters describing the crystal‐like short‐range ordering and vitrification. It is shown that the model qualitatively describes the glass‐crystal competition during quenching with finite cooling speed. The nucleation of the crystalline phase at slow cooling speeds and low undercoolings proceeds by a fluctuation mechanism. The model demonstrates the tendency to amorphization with the increase of its cooling rate.