ISSN:
1089-7690
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
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 ψ6, 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 ψ6. Inside of the range 0≤ψ6≤0.70, the targeted order parameter ψ6 is achieved to within two decimal places of accuracy. Furthermore, it is found that random structures (ψ6∼0.01) can be generated with packing fractions in the range 0.40≤η≤0.77. Interestingly, the algorithm can produce nonequilibrium hard-disk configurations that are considerably more disordered than those typical of the equilibrium fluid. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1289238
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