Publication
Title
Melting transitions in isotropically confined three-dimensional small Coulomb clusters
Author
Abstract
Molecular dynamic simulations are performed to investigate the melting process of small three-dimensional clusters (i.e., systems with one and two shells) of classical charged particles trapped in an isotropic parabolic potential. The confined particles interact through a repulsive potential. We find that the ground-state configurations for systems with N=6, 12, 13, and 38 particles interacting through a Coulomb potential are magic clusters. Such magic clusters have an octahedral or icosahedral symmetry and are found to have a large stability against intrashell diffusion leading to an intershell melting transition prior to the intrashell and radial melting process. For systems with two shells a local radial melting of subshells is found at low temperatures resulting in a structural transition leading to an increased symmetry of the ordered system. Using Lindemanns criterion the different melting temperatures are determined and the influence of the screening of the interparticle interaction was investigated. A normal mode analysis is performed and some of the normal modes are found to be determinantal for the melting process.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Physical review : E : statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics. - Lancaster, Pa, 1993 - 2000
Publication
Lancaster, Pa : 2007
ISSN
1063-651X [print]
1095-3787 [online]
DOI
10.1103/PHYSREVE.76.031107
Volume/pages
76 :3 (2007) , p. 031107,1-13
ISI
000249785800015
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Publication type
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2008
Last edited 23.08.2022
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