Understanding nucleation and material evolution in the universe by considering characteristic properties at the nanoscale

Abstract

In the universe, abundant nanoparticles exist, and they serve pivotal roles in various environments. Nevertheless, their formation processes are still unclear. We have been conducting experiments to elucidate the nucleation processes from the gas phase, believing that the key to understanding material evolution in the universe lies in characteristic properties at the nanoscale. Consequently, we discovered that dimer formation and decreasing melting point are key factors for homogeneous nucleation from the gas phase. Additionally, particle-mediated growth is crucial for dust formation. Herein, we present some of our recent results.