# Kinetic Pathways of Phase Decomposition Using Steepest-Entropy-Ascent Quantum Thermodynamics Modeling. Part I: Continuous and Discontinuous Transformations Source: [Kinetic Pathways of Phase Decomposition Using Steepest-Entropy-Ascent Quantum Thermodynamics Modeling. Part I: Continuous and Discontinuous Transformations]() Collection index: [llms.txt]() Data updated: 2025-10-24T23:41:24.080Z Authors: Ryo Yamada, Michael R. von Spakovsky, William T. Reynolds, Jr Published: 2018-09-27T16:45:27.000Z ## Abstract The decomposition kinetics of a solid-solution into separate phases are analyzed with an equation of motion initially developed to account for dissipative processes in quantum systems. This equation and the steepest-entropy-ascent quantum thermodynamic framework of which it is a part make it possible to track kinetic processes in systems in non-equilibrium, while retaining the framework of classical equilibrium thermodynamics. The general equation of motion is particularized for the case of the decomposition of a binary alloy, and a solution model is used to build an approximate energy eigenstructure, or pseudo-eigenstructure, for the alloy system. This equation is then solved with the pseudo-eigenstructure to obtain a unique reaction path and the decomposition kinetics of the alloy. For a hypothetical solid-solution with a miscibility gap at low temperatures, the conditions under which this framework predicts a continuous transformation path (spinodal decomposition) or a discontinuous one (nucleation and growth) are demonstrated. ## Recorded benchmark results A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage. ## Original sources and implementation [Original paper]() [PDF]()