Modelo de materia granular magnética para el estudio de la cristalización

The crystallization process was studied through a 2D system of magnetic granular matter, composed of steel spheres under the action of an alternating magnetic field that provides them with kinetic energy. The effective temperature of the system is proportional to the intensity of the magnetic field. As the intensity of the magnetic field decreases, it undergoes a cooling process. If the temperature decreases slowly, linearly, compact hexagonal arrangements are obtained. It was observed that the formation of nuclei occurred in two steps. First, stable amorphous aggregates were formed, then in a second stage, these were rearranged, ending up forming the stable nucleus. This process was also observed in the growth stage. The particles adhered to the surface in random places, individually or in small groups; later, due to the collisions with the free spheres, the particles took their positions of minimum energy. Structural and dynamic analyses were performed to characterize the entire crystallization process.