Extended (n/v)-Stillinger cluster for use in the theory of homogeneous nucleation

In this paper we develop a theory for an extended version of the (n/nu)-Sti llinger cluster that has been used in nucleation theory, where n means the number of particles constituting the cluster characterized by the volume nu . The "extended cluster" incorporates some of the surrounding supersaturate d vapor. This cluster, although requiring more extensive simulation than th e original (n/nu)-Stillinger cluster, is almost devoid of approximation. It maintains the non-ad-hoc nature of the original (n/nu)-Stillinger cluster implicitly. The theory of the cluster is also applicable to clusters which avoid redundancy by some other means than the so-called "connectivity requi rement." Simulation of the extended cluster is now being implemented and wi ll be used in the theory of the homogeneous nucleation rate. [S1063-651X(99 )08307-5].