# Diffusive Evolution of Stable and Metastable Phases II: Theory of Non-Equilibrium Behaviour in Colloid-Polymer Mixtures

Source: [Diffusive Evolution of Stable and Metastable Phases II: Theory of Non-Equilibrium Behaviour in Colloid-Polymer Mixtures](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa34251e209131ce89619b>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-27T03:41:49.017Z

Authors: R. M. L. Evans, W. C. K. Poon (1) \_\_INSTITUTION\_2\_\_ Department of Physics, Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, U.K.)

Published: 1997-01-20T20:55:39.000Z

## Abstract

By analytically solving some simple models of phase-ordering kinetics, we suggest a mechanism for the onset of non-equilibrium behaviour in colloid-polymer mixtures. These mixtures can function as models of atomic systems; their physics therefore impinges on many areas of thermodynamics and phase-ordering. An exact solution is found for the motion of a single, planar interface separating a growing phase of uniform high density from a supersaturated low density phase, whose diffusive depletion drives the interfacial motion. In addition, an approximate solution is found for the one-dimensional evolution of two interfaces, separated by a slab of a metastable phase at intermediate density. The theory predicts a critical supersaturation of the low-density phase, above which the two interfaces become unbound and the metastable phase grows ad infinitum. The growth of the stable phase is suppressed in this regime.

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/9701139>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/cond-mat/9701139.pdf>)