Nucleation of crystals from their liquid phase

Liquids can be supercooled below their melting temperature T m or pressurized above their melting pressure P m . Many authors relate the maximum degree of supercooling—or overpressurization—to a value of the liquid–solid interfacial tension by using the standard theory of nucleation. The main goal of this review is to examine whether this relation is justified or not. We consider general arguments and two main examples: liquid helium which is simple and pure, consequently a model system, and liquid water which is complex but ubiquitous. To cite this article: S. Balibar, F. Caupin, C. R. Physique 7 (2006).