Ensemble averaged Madelung energies of finite volumes and surfaces

Abstract

Exact expressions for ensemble averaged Madelung energies of finite volumes are derived. The extrapolation to the thermodynamic limit converges unconditionally and can be used as a parameter-free real-space summation method of Madelung constants. In the large volume limit, the surface term of the ensemble averaged Madelung energy has a universal form, independent of the crystal structure. The scaling of the Madelung energy with system size provides a simple explanation for the structural phase transition observed in cesium halide clusters.