Thermodynamics of Finite Systems and the Kinetics of First-Order Phase Transitions

1. Introduction.- 1.1. Types and Classification of Phase Transitions.- 1.2. Thermodynamic and Experimental Conditions for Supersaturated Vapour States.- 1.3. Outline of Classical Nucleation Theory.- 1.3.1. The Classical Droplet Model.- 1.3.2. Kinetic Assumptions of Classical Nucleation Theory.- 1.3.3. Modifications of Classical Nucleation Theory.- 1.4. Nucleation in a Lattice Gas Model.- 2. Thermodynamics of Heterogeneous Systems.- 2.1. Thermodynamic Premises of Classical Nucleation Theory.- 2.2. Gibbs' Theory of Heterogeneous Systems.- 2.3. Curvature Dependence of Surface Tension.- 2.4. Heterogeneous Systems in Non-Equilibrium States and the Principle of Inner Equilibrium.- 3. Thermodynamics and Nucleation in Finite Systems.- 3.1. The Work of Formation of Clusters.- 3.2. Equilibrium States and the Conditions for Stability of the Clusters.- 3.3. Critical Thermodynamic Parameters for Nucleation in Finite Systems.- 3.4. The Work of Formation of Critical Clusters.- 3.5. Parameters of the Critical Cluster in Dependence on the System Size.- 3.6. Formation of a Droplet Ensemble in Finite Systems.- 4. Kinetics of Phase Transitions in Finite Systems - A Stochastic Approach.- 4.1. Free Energy of the Cluster Distribution.- 4.2. Kinetic Assumptions and Master Equation.- 4.3. Results of Computer Simulations.- 4.3.1. Stochastic Dynamics Technique.- 4.3.2. Evolution of a Single Cluster.- 4.3.3. Evolution of the Cluster Distribution.- 4.4. Probability Distribution and Mean First Passage Time.- 4.5. Mean Values for the Number of Clusters - Fokker-Planck Equation.- 5. Kinetics of Growth of a New Phase - A Deterministic Description.- 5.1. General Scenario of First-Order Phase Transition in Finite Systems.- 5.2. Nucleation in Finite Systems - The Quasi-Steady-State-Approximation.- 5.3. Deterministic Growth Equations.- 5.3.1. Diffusion Equation Approach.- 5.3.2. Derivation of a General Growth Equation for Clusters of a New Phase.- 5.4. Simultaneous Description of Nucleation and Growth.- 5.5. Curvature Dependence of Surface Tension and the Scenario of First-Order Phase Transitions.- 5.6. Further Applications.- 6. Theory of Ostwald Ripening.- 6.1. Basic Equations.- 6.2. The Lifshitz-Slyozov Theory.- 6.3. Thermodynamic Aspects of Ostwald Ripening in Solids and Liquid Solutions.- 6.4. A New Method of Kinetic Description of Ostwald Ripening.- 6.5. Ostwald Ripening and the Relations to the Theory of Self-Organization.- 7. Growth of Bubbles in Finite Systems.- 7.1. The Model.- 7.2. Thermodynamic Analysis.- 7.3. Kinetic Description of Nucleation and Growth of Bubbles.- 7.4. Applications to Liquid-Gas Solutions and Multicomponent Systems.- 8. Nucleation and Growth in Elastic and Viscoelastic Media.- 8.1. Derivation of a Growth Equation for Clusters in Elastic Media.- 8.2. Models for the Calculation of Elastic Strains.- 8.2.1. Elastic Strains of Nabarro Type.- 8.2.2. Elastic Strains in Segregation Processes in Elastic Media.- 8.2.3. The Influence of Viscous Properties of the Matrix on the Development of Elastic Strains.- 8.3. Formation and Growth of Single Clusters in Elastic Media.- 8.4. Ostwald Ripening in Elastic and Viscoelastic Media.- References.