THEORY OF SPINODAL DECOMPOSITION

The general evolution equation describing spinodal decomposition in systems with conserved or non-conserved order parameter is developed. It is shown that if in the system thermodynamic potential expression the coefficients at order parameter square and at order parameter gradient square can change sign near the spinodal point, some different decomposition scenarios arc possible, which result in system transformation from disordered to ordered, modulated, patterned, or ordered-patterned states.