The classic Lifshitz-Slezov-Wagner theory of ripening assumes that within a closed system, the total volume of the phase undergoing ripening remains constant while the total surface area of the phase decreases. We present here the ripening behavior in an open system in which the total surface area of the phase undergoing ripening remains constant while the total volume of the phase is growing. We define the latter growth to be flux-driven ripening. We compare these two types of ripening, one within a closed system and the other within an open system, in terms of the particles’ size distribution function, the scaling behavior of the distribution, and the rate of growth of the mean particle size.

• Received 24 September 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.115403