PMC

Note rectangular overall profile of the crystal as well as network of narrow diagonally oriented branches. × 49,900.

Microphotographic images of pressure-induced dendritic crystals (a) and (b) and the simulated patterns of temperature-driven dendritic crystal growth (c and d) by Family et al. (), showing a remarkable similarity. Sample gasket diameter: 160 μm.

Crystal ‘flowers on the lawn’ obtained by phase-field modelling (PK Galenko 2004, unpublished results). (a) The crystal as a dendritic flower has grown due to large interface anisotropy. (b) The crystal as a fractal flower has grown due to zero interface anisotropy. (Online version in colour.)

a–c Volume renderings show the growth of a euhedral clinopyroxene crystal through time at 1150 °C and ∆T = 10 °C. d–i Volume renderings show the transition between euhedral to dendritic shapes and the growth of a dendritic clinopyroxene crystal through time at 1130 °C and ∆T = 30 °C. The formation of primary branches indicates the transition from an interface-controlled growth to a diffusion-limited growth (d, e). Secondary (f) and tertiary (g) branches are formed through time under diffusion-limited growth. j Evolution of the maximum length (along c axis) of a clinopyroxene crystal through time at ∆T = 10 °C and ∆T = 30 °C. k Growth rate of a clinopyroxene crystal as a function of time at ∆T = 10 °C and ∆T = 30 °C. a–k The undercoolings (∆T) investigated are calculated with respect to the clinopyroxene liquidus. a–i The time in yellow reported in each panel indicates the time passed from the beginning of the experiment. The time in red reported in each panel indicates the time passed from the formation of the pyroxene crystal.