Dynamics of late-stage phase separation: A test of theory

The kinetics of Ostwald ripening are examined in a solid-liquid system that satisfies all assumptions of theory. We find that even at the longest coarsening time the samples are close to, but never reach, the steady-state coarsening regime. The coarsening rate agrees with predictions of the theories for transient Ostwald ripening to within the errors of the thermophysical parameters. These theories also describe the evolution of the particle size distribution very well. We thus conclude that the nonzero volume fraction theories of coarsening are sound. [S0031-9007(99)08766-9].