We investigate the formation of cluster crystals with multiply occupied lattice sites on a spherical surface in systems of ultra-soft particles interacting via repulsive, bounded pair potentials. Not all interactions of this kind lead to clustering: we generalize the criterion devised in C. N. Likos et al., Phys. Rev. E, 2001, 63, 031206 to spherical systems in order to distinguish between cluster-forming systems and fluids which display reentrant melting. We use both DFT and Monte Carlo simulations to characterize the behavior of the system, and obtain semi-quantitative agreement between the two. We find that the number of clusters is determined by the ratio between the size s of the ultra-soft particles and the radius R of the sphere in such a way that each stable configuration spans a certain interval of s/R. Furthermore, we study the effect of topological frustration on the system due to the sphere curvature by comparing the properties of disclinations, i.e., clusters with fewer than six neighbors, and non-defective clusters. Disclinations are shown to be less stable, contain fewer particles, and be closer to their neighbors than other lattice points: these properties are explained on the basis of geometric and energetic considerations.
Formation of cluster crystals in an ultra-soft potential model on a spherical surface / S. Franzini, L. Reatto, D. Pini. - In: SOFT MATTER. - ISSN 1744-683X. - 14(2018 Nov 21), pp. 8724-8739. [10.1039/c8sm00997j]
Formation of cluster crystals in an ultra-soft potential model on a spherical surface
L. ReattoPenultimo
;D. PiniUltimo
2018
Abstract
We investigate the formation of cluster crystals with multiply occupied lattice sites on a spherical surface in systems of ultra-soft particles interacting via repulsive, bounded pair potentials. Not all interactions of this kind lead to clustering: we generalize the criterion devised in C. N. Likos et al., Phys. Rev. E, 2001, 63, 031206 to spherical systems in order to distinguish between cluster-forming systems and fluids which display reentrant melting. We use both DFT and Monte Carlo simulations to characterize the behavior of the system, and obtain semi-quantitative agreement between the two. We find that the number of clusters is determined by the ratio between the size s of the ultra-soft particles and the radius R of the sphere in such a way that each stable configuration spans a certain interval of s/R. Furthermore, we study the effect of topological frustration on the system due to the sphere curvature by comparing the properties of disclinations, i.e., clusters with fewer than six neighbors, and non-defective clusters. Disclinations are shown to be less stable, contain fewer particles, and be closer to their neighbors than other lattice points: these properties are explained on the basis of geometric and energetic considerations.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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