Different Routes Towards Oscillatory Zoning in the Growth of Solid Solutions

Lubashevsky I, Mues T, Heuer A

Abstract

Oscillatory zoning, i.e., self-formation of spatial quasiperiodic oscillations in the composition of solid growing from aqueous solution, is analyzed theoretically. Keeping in mind systems like (Ba,Sr)SO4, we propose a one-dimensional model that takes into account the nonideality of the solid solution and the system asymmetry, in particular, reflecting itself in different solubilities for such systems. Based on a linear stability analysis, different parameter regions can be identified. Even an ideal solution with a sufficiently large asymmetry can display oscillatory zoning. Numerical simulations complement the linear stability analysis as well as the qualitative consideration of the instability development and reveal the nature of the limit cycles.