On the metastability of the hexatic phase during the melting of two-dimensional charged particle solids

Derzsi, Aranka and Kovács, Anikó Zsuzsa and Donkó, Zoltán and Hartmann, Péter (2014) On the metastability of the hexatic phase during the melting of two-dimensional charged particle solids. PHYSICS OF PLASMAS, 21 (2). ISSN 1070-664X

Preview

Text 1305.7022.pdf Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (353kB) | Preview

Abstract

For two-dimensional many-particle systems first-order, second-order, single step continuous, as well as two- step continuous (KTHNY-like) melting transitions have been found in previous studies. Recent computer simulations, using particle numbers in the ≥ 105 range, as well as a few experimental studies, tend to support the two-step scenario, where the solid and liquid phases are separated by a third, so called hexatic phase. We have performed molecular dynamics simulations on Yukawa (Debye-H¨uckel) systems at conditions earlier predicted to belong to the hexatic phase. Our simulation studies on the time needed for the equilibration of the systems conclude that the hexatic phase is metastable and disappears in the limit of long times. We also show that simply increasing the particle number in particle simulations does not necessarily result in more accurate conclusions regarding the existence of the hexatic phase. The increase of the system size has to be accompanied with the increase of the simulation time to ensure properly thermalized condition

Actions (login required)

Edit Item