The α-factor is a dimensionless quantity used to predict the solid–liquid interface type of a material during solidification. It was introduced by physicist Kenneth A. Jackson in 1958. In his model, crystal growth with larger values of α is smooth, whereas crystals growing at smaller α (below the threshold value of 2) have rough surfaces.[1][2]
- ^ Bennema, P. (1993). "Morphology of crystals determined by alpha factors, roughening temperature, F faces and connected nets". Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics. 26 (8B): B1–B6. doi:10.1088/0022-3727/26/8b/001.
- ^ Uhlmann, Don; Fratello, Vincent (2022). "Kenneth A. Jackson (1930–2022)". National Academy of Engineering. Retrieved 2024-04-01.