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Nonequilibrium hard-disk packings with controlled orientational order

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1289238· OSTI ID:20217602
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)
  2. Department of Chemistry and Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 (United States)
This paper addresses one of the fundamental questions in the theory of hard-disk packings--how order within a system relates to packing density. The algorithm presented is a seed-based, growth protocol in which new disks are added sequentially to the surface of a growing cluster. The angular position of the new disk is chosen based on the minimization of an objective function designed to control order, as measured by the global bond-orientational order parameter {psi}{sub 6}, which varies between 0 and 1 (with 1 indicating perfect hexagonal close-packed order). Modifying the objective function allows the final packing fraction to be biased while maintaining tight control over {psi}{sub 6}. Inside of the range 0{<=}{psi}{sub 6}{<=}0.70, the targeted order parameter {psi}{sub 6} is achieved to within two decimal places of accuracy. Furthermore, it is found that random structures ({psi}{sub 6}{approx}0.01) can be generated with packing fractions in the range 0.40{<=}{eta}{<=}0.77. Interestingly, the algorithm can produce nonequilibrium hard-disk configurations that are considerably more disordered than those typical of the equilibrium fluid. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.
OSTI ID:
20217602
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 113; ISSN JCPSA6; ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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