Theory of homogeneous nucleation from the vapor phase

A new theory of homogeneous nucleation from the vapor phase is presented. The classical Becker-Doering-Zel'dovich theory is contained as a limiting case. The theory is based on a semiphenomenological droplet model for the Gibbs free enthalpy of formation of the cluster. Since this droplet model also allows the construction of a thermal equation of state for real gases below the critical point, all free parameters of the model can be determined from macroscopic measurables. The new theory gives a much better prediction of observed nucleation rates than the classical theory. (orig.)