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Evidence of hexatic phase formation in two-dimensional Lennard-Jones binary arrays

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. W. M. Keck Laboratory, Mail Stop 138-78, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125 (United States)
  2. Molecular and Materials Process Center, Beckman Institute, Mail Stop 139-72, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125 (United States)

We report evidence of the hexatic phase formation in Lennard-Jones binary substitutional random arrays from isothermal-isobaric molecular-dynamics simulations. The hexatic phase is analogous to those predicted in Kosterlitz-Thouless theory of melting that is characterized by short-range translational order and quasi-long-range orientational order. At the crystal to hexatic phase transition, dislocation pairs are observed to unbind into isolated dislocations. Further disordering of the hexatic phase, however, does not lead to dissociation of dislocations into disclinations. Instead, the dislocations become clustered and form dislocation networks which results in formation of amorphous phases. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

Research Organization:
California Institute of Technology
DOE Contract Number:
FG03-86ER45242
OSTI ID:
388327
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 54; ISSN PRBMDO; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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