The shape of the crystal (assuming equilibrium growth conditions) is related to the surface energy by the Wulff construction.

If the surface energy as a function of the planes is known, the equilibrium shape of the crystal may be found via the Wulff construction.

The second part is the Wulff construction itself in which the gamma plot is used to determine graphically which crystal faces will be present.

Together with Kotecký and Shlosman, he studied the formation of droplets in Ising-type models, providing mathematical justification of the Wulff construction.

The Wulff construction is a method for determining the equilibrium shape of a droplet or crystal of fixed volume inside a separate phase (usually its saturated solution or vapor).