Condensation processes and the formation of cosmic grains

The case of condensation from a gas in the absence of any preexisting grains or nuclei upon which condensation can occur is considered. Some of the analysis is expected to apply to condensation on grains already present. An attempt is made to examine the basic assumptions of the various procedures used to describe condensation and to examine their applicability to astronomical systems. Attention is given to thermodynamic equilibration calculations, nucleation theory, kinetic mechanisms, the theoretical mechanisms, and condensation experiments.