A theory is proposed for the rate of isothermal stationary nucleation
of liquid or solid phases from vapors in the presence of inert carrier
gas. Formulas are derived for the nucleation rate and the critical su
persaturation as functions of the carrier-gas pressure. It is found th
at, depending on the interactions between the molecules of the carrier
gas and the condensing vapors, the carrier-gas pressure can either st
imulate or inhibit the nucleation process. The analysis shows that, ty
pically, this effect is relatively small for carrier-gas pressures not
much greater than the atmospheric pressure and is more pronounced for
less supersaturated condensing vapors. (C) 1996 American Institute of
Physics.