Heterogeneous nucleation at a planar surface

A system of 40 000 Lennard-Jones particles confined in between planar surfaces is quenched to a quasi-equilibrium vapor state where heterogeneous nucleation appears in competition with homogeneous bulk nucleation. The effect of the surfaces on nucleation is established as well as the cluster distribution and the growth at onset of heterogeneous nucleation. The simulations demonstrate the surface “catalytic” effect on nucleation, caused by the enhanced supersaturation near the surface due to the increased density.