Entropy and enthalpy catastrophe as a stability limit for crystalline material

摘要: The transition from a crystalline material with long-range order to glass-like disordered structure has been observed in several metal alloys and minerals using experimental techniques such as solid-state reaction, mechanical alloying, pressure application, ion-beam mixing hydriding1–3. In all these examples the vitrification occurs below glass temperature, because can be thought of highly undercooled liquid, one may draw an analogy between process melting. melting is often viewed catastrophic instability crystal lattice4–6, although none theories predicts temperature correctly. could also triggered by some type instability7; indeed, Kauzmann8 argued that liquid whose entropy falls phase must undergo massive freezing glass. Applying 'inverse' Kauzmann argument problem melting, catastrophe predicted when superheated exceeds phase. We propose this represents ultimate stability limit for or supersaturated crystals.