Higher derivative terms in spinodal decomposition

The effects of higher order terms on the kinetics of spinodal decomposition are evaluated. The terms considered are the higher derivative terms in the diffuse interface free energy expansion. It is shown that the next approximation to the local free energy results in a kinetic amplification factor of the form: R(β) = N_v^-1 M ̃(-f{hook}″β² - 2κβ⁴ + 2μβ⁶), where μ can be related to coefficients in the free energy expansio Problems associated with a continuation of the expansion to evaluate further effects on spinodal decomposition kinetics are noted.