Simulation of a Nonequilibrium Phase Transition Initiated by the Volumetric Heat Source Using a Molecular Dynamics Method

A nonequilibrium phase transition (melting) initiated by the volumetric heat source is investigated using a molecular dynamics method (MMD). Physical parameters characterizing the study process are computed. It is shown that at the critical level of the heat source power density the phase transition is realized under nonequilibrium conditions of considerable local overheating and may be accompanied by the formation of the locally unstable state of a microcrystal and complex dynamics: the origin of phase transformation fronts both on the surface and deep within the microcrystal.