On the possible "supersolid" character of parahydrogen clusters

Abstract

We present results of a theoretical study of structural and superfluid properties of parahydrogen clusters comprising 25, 26 and 27 molecules at low temperature. The microscopic model utilized here is based on the Silvera-Goldman pair potential. Numerical results are obtained by means of Quantum Monte Carlo simulations, making use of the continuous-space Worm Algorithm. The clusters are superfluid in the low temperature limit, but display markedly different physical behaviours. For N=25 and 27, superfluidity at low temperature arises as clusters melt, i.e., become progressively liquid-like as a result of quantum effects. On the other hand, for N = 26 the cluster remains rigid and solid-like. We argue that this cluster can be regarded as a mesoscopic "supersolid". This physical picture is supported by results of simulations in which a single parahydrogen molecule in the cluster is isotopically substituted.

18 pages, 7 figures

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• Mesoscopic dipolar quantum crystals
• Superfluid response of parahydrogen clusters in superfluid He-4
• Computer simulation study of nanoscale size parahydrogen clusters
• Muonium hydride: the lowest density crystal
• Systematics of small parahydrogen clusters in two dimensions