Multiple order parameter theory of surface melting: A van der Waals approach

Abstract

We describe a van der Waals approach with multiple order parameter for surface melting near the triple pointT T which is based on density functional theory for bulk freezing. The occurrence of surface-induced melting, non-melting or blocked (incomplete) melting is governed by the specific form of the long-ranged tail in the interparticle potential. In the case of melting, the residual crystallinity at the vapor side of the quasi-liquid layer is shown to decay with a stretched exponential (power) law inT T -T for long-(short-) ranged interparticle forces