Bifurcation and Trifurcation of a Kirkendall Plane during Multiphase Interdiffusion

Abstract

A Kirkendall-effect mediated behaviour of inert ("fiducial") markers situated before the interaction at the original interface of a diffusion couple can be complex in both spatial and temporal domains. It was found that the Kirkendall plane can bifurcate and even trifurcate in a multiphase reaction zone. This can be rationalised in terms of Kirkendall velocity construction as well as from a purely chemical point of view considering diffusion-controlled interactions at the interphase interfaces. The physico-chemical approach is also used to explain significance of the Kirkendall effect in the morphogenesis of interdiffusion systems.