TY - JOUR
T1 - Crystalline phases of polydisperse spheres
AU - Sollich, Peter
AU - Wilding, Nigel B.
PY - 2010/3/16
Y1 - 2010/3/16
N2 - We use specialized Monte Carlo simulation methods and moment free energy calculations to provide conclusive evidence that dense polydisperse spheres at equilibrium demix into coexisting fcc phases, with more phases appearing as the spread of diameters increases. We manage to track up to four coexisting phases. Each of these is fractionated: it contains a narrower distribution of particle sizes than is present in the system overall. We also demonstrate that, surprisingly, demixing transitions can be nearly continuous, accompanied by fluctuations in local particle size correlated over many lattice spacings.
AB - We use specialized Monte Carlo simulation methods and moment free energy calculations to provide conclusive evidence that dense polydisperse spheres at equilibrium demix into coexisting fcc phases, with more phases appearing as the spread of diameters increases. We manage to track up to four coexisting phases. Each of these is fractionated: it contains a narrower distribution of particle sizes than is present in the system overall. We also demonstrate that, surprisingly, demixing transitions can be nearly continuous, accompanied by fluctuations in local particle size correlated over many lattice spacings.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77949549170&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.118302
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.118302
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 20366504
AN - SCOPUS:77949549170
VL - 104
JO - Physical Review Letters
JF - Physical Review Letters
SN - 0031-9007
IS - 11
M1 - 118302
ER -