Non-photochemical laser-induced nucleation of supercooled glacial acetic acid

Abstract

Non-photochemical laser-induced nucleation (NPLIN) of glacial acetic acid (GAA) is demonstrated. The fraction of samples nucleated depends linearly on peak laser power density at low powers (<100 MW cm(-2)) with a threshold of (9.0 ± 4.2) MW cm(-2); at higher laser powers the fraction reaches a plateau of 0.75 ± 0.24 (2σ uncertainties). A simple model based on polarizability of pre-nucleating clusters gives a value of the solid-liquid interfacial tension γ(SL) = 15.5 mJ m(-2). It is hoped that the results will stimulate new developments in experimental and theoretical studies of cluster structure and nucleation in liquids.

Light induced nucleation of metallic nanoparticles with frequency controlled shapes

“…These phenomena are often referred to as nonphotochemical laser induced nucleation (NPLIN). 4,5 Our consideration is based on the classical nucleation theory, [6][7][8] according to which, the change in free energy is the sum of the bulk and surface contributions and an electric field dependent term, F E ,…”

Supersaturation dependence of glycine polymorphism using laser-induced nucleation, sonocrystallization and nucleation by mechanical shock

“…In the case of NPLIN using pulsed lasers, the light is delivered to the sample over a very short time (o100 ns). 30,31 Nucleation can be effected with a single laser pulse. 32,33 Typically the beam is not focussed tightly, so as to avoid optical breakdown or photochemical effects.…”

Using optical tweezing to control phase separation and nucleation near a liquid–liquid critical point

“…Laser-induced nucleation experiments have a been carried out previously in a variety of metastable (supersaturated) solutions [1][2][3][4][5]17,52 but a mechanistic understanding of the phenomenon has been lacking. We surmised that laser-induced nucleation was caused by optical trapping near a liquid-liquid critical point.…”

“…1 Most excitingly, it was reported that the laser polarisation could be used to control which polymorph would nucleate, promising an unprecedented degree of control. 2,3 Subsequent work showed that laser pulses can induce nucleation of various crystals, [4][5][6][7][8] liquid crystals 9,10 and bubbles. 11 However, these nanosecond-laser nucleation experiments defied all explanation.…”