The problem of calculation of the steady state homogeneous nucleation rate in the multidimensional space of the variables describing a nucleus is considered. Within the framework of the theory proposed, expressions for the nucleation rate and the steady state distribution function of nuclei are derived. The expression for the nucleation rate is invariant with respect to the space dimensionality and, in particular, involves the result of the one-dimensional theory. The distribution function is obtained in the initial, physical variables. In connection with the analysis of restrictions on the current direction, the question of symmetry of the matrix of diffusivities is considered; on the basis of the detailed balance principle it is shown that this matrix is symmetric. The question of normalizing the equilibrium distribution functions is investigated and the physical picture of the equilibrium state is described. The procedure of reducing the multidimensional theory to the one-dimensional one is described.

The multivariable theory of nucleation (J. Chem. Phys. 2006, 124, 124512) is applied to the problem of vapor bubbles formation in pure liquids. The presented self-consistent macroscopic theory of this process employs thermodynamics (classical, statistical, and linear nonequilibrium), hydrodynamics, and interfacial kinetics. As a result of thermodynamic study of the problem, the work of formation of a bubble is obtained and parameters of the critical bubble are determined. The variables V (the bubble volume), ρ (the vapor density), and T (the vapor temperature) are shown to be natural for the given task. An equation for the dependence of surface tension on bubble state parameters is obtained. An algorithm of writing the equations of motion of a bubble in the space {V, ρ, T}--equations for V, ρ, and T--is offered. This algorithm ensures symmetry of the matrix of kinetic coefficients. The equation for T written on the basis of this algorithm is shown to represent the first law of thermodynamics for a bubble. The negative eigenvalue of the motion equations which alongside with the work of the critical bubble formation determines the stationary nucleation rate of bubbles is obtained. Various kinetic limits are considered. One of the kinetic constraints leads to the fact that the nucleation cannot occur in the whole metastable region; it occurs only in some subregion of the latter. Zeldovich's theory of cavitation is shown to be a limiting case of the theory presented. The limiting effects of various kinetic processes on the nucleation rate of bubbles are shown analytically. These are the inertial motion of a liquid as well as the processes of particles exchange and heat exchange between a bubble and surrounding liquid. The nucleation rate is shown to be determined by the slowest kinetic process at positive and moderately negative pressures in a liquid. The limiting effects of the processes of evaporation-condensation and heat exchange vanish at high negative pressures.

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The nonisothermal single-component theory of droplet nucleation [N. V. Alekseechkin, Physica A 412, 186 (2014)] is extended to binary case; the droplet volume V, composition x, and temperature T are the variables of the theory. An approach based on macroscopic kinetics (in contrast to the standard microscopic model of nucleation operating with the probabilities of monomer attachment and detachment) is developed for the droplet evolution and results in the derived droplet motion equations in the space (V, x, T)—equations for V̇≡dV/dt, ẋ, and Ṫ. The work W(V, x, T) of the droplet formation is obtained in the vicinity of the saddle point as a quadratic form with diagonal matrix. Also, the problem of generalizing the single-component Kelvin equation for the equilibrium vapor pressure to binary case is solved; it is presented here as a problem of integrability of a Pfaffian equation. The equation for Ṫ is shown to be the first law of thermodynamics for the droplet, which is a consequence of Onsager's reciprocal relations and the linked-fluxes concept. As an example of ideal solution for demonstrative numerical calculations, the o-xylene-m-xylene system is employed. Both nonisothermal and enrichment effects are shown to exist; the mean steady-state overheat of droplets and their mean steady-state enrichment are calculated with the help of the 3D distribution function. Some qualitative peculiarities of the nucleation thermodynamics and kinetics in the water-sulfuric acid system are considered in the model of regular solution. It is shown that there is a small kinetic parameter in the theory due to the small amount of the acid in the vapor and, as a consequence, the nucleation process is isothermal.