{
  "abstract": "In a binary alloy, spinodal decomposition has one composition direction in which the free energy can fall. A multicomponent alloy has more directions available, yet its elements usually separate together in a single, pseudobinary mode. Why does this happen, and what would allow two independent directions to become unstable? We examine these questions using binary interaction parameters and the composition-constrained curvature of the regular-solution free energy. Across equimolar BCC quaternaries, one unstable mode is the most common outcome at 500 K, while 15.2% have at least two. The tendency of unlike elements to mix helps explain the preference for one mode. We then show how particular arrangements of interactions, including a balanced repulsive triangle and an attractive-repulsive pair, guarantee two downhill directions. When those directions have similar strengths, simplified phase-field models produce a broad texture of locally different solid solutions rather than two chemical blocks. A phase-specific screen identifies five provisional alloys with nearly balanced modes, with Cu-In-Ir-Ti providing an example of this possibility. Thus, we establish a theoretical framework for engineering microstructures via spinodal decomposition derived from basic binary interaction tendencies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.00351",
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Pravan Omprakash"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b30pt9xxn4x83.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.00351",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "b30pt9xxn4x83",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.00351",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.dis-nn"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.mtrl-sci"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2505|Solidification and crystal growth phenomena"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7216517376",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.00351",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b30pt9xxn4x83.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:26:03Z",
      "native_id": "2610.00351",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.00351"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:cond-mat.dis-nn",
      "subfield": "condensed-matter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Thermodynamic origins of multimode spinodal decomposition in multicomponent alloys",
  "title_text": "Thermodynamic origins of multimode spinodal decomposition in multicomponent alloys",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:26:03Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b30pt9xxn4x83",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}