Initial-value solutions for spinodal decomposition in ternary solids

The establishment of a Fourier decomposable initial value representation of spinodal decomposition in a ternary alloy requires that the 2 X 2 diffusion (D) and gradient energy (G) matrices be simultaneously brought to the diagonal, or equivalently that they commute. The three sub-matrices involving solution thermodynamics, mobility and gradient terms are examined within standard atomic models with the view to establishing conditions for …