Growth and Visualization of an MgZn₂-Zn Spiral Eutectic Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation

The intrinsic chirality of spiral eutectics offers the potential to speed up the manufacture of large-area photonic materials. Molecular Dynamics simulations were performed on an Mg-Zn system to analyze the formation and growth of an MgZn₂-Zn spiral eutectic. Simulations were run on a 33 at.% Mg and 66 at. % Zn system to reproduce the growth mechanism of the MgZn₂ crystal. Simulations were also performed on the typical experimental composition of 92 at. % Zn 8 at. % Mg to model the crystallization of the MgZn₂ and Zn phases together. Using this data, we provide a critical assessment of the proposed mechanisms for the growth of these spiral formations.