Competition of glass and crystal: Phase-field model

The phase-field model for the description of the solidification processes with the glass-crystal competition is suggested. The model combines the first-order phase transition model in the phase-field formalism and gauge-field theory of glass transition. We present a self-consistent system of stochastic motion equations for unconserved order parameters describing the crystal-like short-range ordering and vitrification. It is shown that the model qualitatively describes the glass-crystal competition during quenching with finite cooling speed. The nucleation of the crystalline phase at slow cooling speeds and low undercoolings proceeds by a fluctuation mechanism. The model demonstrates the tendency to amorphization with the increase of its cooling rate.