Crystallization by acoustic waves: the case of helium

We establish a theoretical model to explain the nucleation of a crystal of helium by an acoustic over-pressure. We explain the interfacial laws for this ultra-fast cristallization, close to the sound speed. Assuming spherical symmetry and taking into account the experimental data, we recover the dynamics of the growth and melting during an over-pressure impulse. To cite this article: M. Ben Amar et al., C. R. Mecanique 331 (2003). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]