Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to study the premelting effects of noble-gas surfaces (argon) close to but below the bulk melting temperature. In particular, the increase of disorder as a function of temperature at (111) surface has been considered. The truncated Lennard-Jones (6-12) potential is used to describe the interactions between particles. Surface premelting has been analyzed by means of total energies, trajectory plots, mean sequare displacement functions, diffusion coefficients, vacancy concentrations and two-dimensional order parameters. The (111) surface starts to disorder by vacancy formation, which leads to the premelting of the surface layer far below the bulk melting temperature. Melting proceeds via a layer-by-layer mechanism, when temperature is further increased. This study supports the earlier observations of a melting that proceeds in the direction of high packing density.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.