Finding new grain forms in three dimensions

Topological grain forms in three dimensions are studied experimentally and by large-scale Potts model Monte Carlo simulation. Some new band-faced grain forms are firstly observed among 16,254 pure iron grains, yet none of them is found among 28,049 Monte Carlo simulation grains, which indicate that there is shorter residence times for band-faced grain forms in three dimensions. The combined curvature/topology analysis suggests a possible efficient way of topological transitions of grain forms which is different from the known transition paths.