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Electrically Induced Morphological Instabilities in Free Dendrite Growth

Kenneth G. Libbrecht and Victoria M. Tanusheva
Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 176 – Published 6 July 1998
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Abstract

We describe a new instability mechanism in free dendrite growth, which arises from electrically enhanced diffusion of polar molecules near the dendrite tip. For a small applied potential, the dendrite tip velocity increases slowly with potential, as is described by an extension of normal solvability theory. Above a threshold potential, however, capillarity is insufficient to stabilize growth. We present observations that confirm this instability, which brings about a transition from enhanced normal dendrite growth to a rapidly growing needle morphology with strongly suppressed sidebranching.

  • Received 2 March 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.176

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Kenneth G. Libbrecht* and Victoria M. Tanusheva

  • Norman Bridge Laboratory of Physics, California Institute of Technology 264-33, Pasadena, California 91125

  • *Electronic address: kgl@caltech.edu

Comments & Replies

Comment on “Electrically Induced Morphological Instabilities in Free Dendrite Growth”

Efim A. Brener and H. Müller-Krumbhaar
Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 1698 (1999)

Libbrecht and Tanusheva Reply:

K. G. Libbrecht and V. M. Tanusheva
Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 1699 (1999)

See Also

Charged-Up Ice Crystals

Phys. Rev. Focus 2, 1 (1998)

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Issue

Vol. 81, Iss. 1 — 6 July 1998

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