Diffusion in the two-dimensional nonoverlapping Lorentz gas

Abstract

The self-diffusion coefficient, velocity autocorrelation function, and distribution of collision times for a two-dimensional nonoverlapping Lorentz gas were calculated using molecular dynamics simulation. The systems studied covered a range of densities, from a packing fraction (πNr2/L2) of 0.01 to 0.8. Self-diffusion coefficients were found to agree to all densities with kinetic theory predictions [A. Weijland and J. M. J. van Leeuwen, Physica 38, 35 (1968)] if the radial distribution function (rdf) was taken into account. The density dependence of the decay of the velocity autocorrelation function was qualitatively different from that predicted by kinetic theory. The distribution of collision times was nearly exponential for all but the highest density studied.