Crystalline phases of polydisperse spheres

Abstract

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.

4 pages, 4 figures. Shortened abstract, added clarification to technical points

References in corpus (6)

• Crystallization of hard-sphere glasses
• Fractionation effects in phase equilibria of polydisperse hard sphere colloids
• Solid-liquid coexistence of polydisperse fluids via simulation
• Phase diagram of a polydisperse soft-spheres model for liquids and colloids
• Accurate simulation estimates of cloud points of polydisperse fluids
• Solid-solid transition of the size-polydisperse hard-sphere system

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