Thermodensity coupling in phase-field-crystal-type models for the study of rapid crystallization

We self-consistently derive a formalism that couples a phase field crystal (PFC) density field to thermal transport. It yields a theory for nonuniform transient temperature and density evolution, and includes local latent heat release during atomic rearrangements of the PFC density field. The basic formalism is applied to the original PFC model, demonstrating its capacity to capture heat transfer and recalescence in solidification. With an aim …