A 3D-$\Delta$PDF-like measure for hidden anisotropy in disordered materials

Abstract

We introduce a simple correlation function for quantifying hidden local anisotropy in disordered materials. Developed in analogy with the three-dimensional difference pair distribution function (3D-$\Delta$PDF), our approach identifies structural correlations that are lost through averaging over bulk symmetry. The same approach might be applied to models of disordered crystals, amorphous materials, and liquids alike.