Progress in thermodynamic perturbation theory and self-consistent Ornstein–Zernikeapproach relevant to structural-arrest problems

Abstract

We discuss the derivation and use of a key feature of a new version of thermodynamicperturbation theory (TPT) that Ben-Amotz and Stell have developed recently—the choiceof a hard-core diameter to be used in modelling soft-core systems. We go on to show theway the new version of TPT can be used as input for the self-consistent Ornstein–Zernikeapproach (SCOZA) of Høye and Stell to obtain highly accurate static structure factors andthermodynamics for fluids and glasses. In obtaining quantitatively useful results for thestructural arrest and other dynamic features in colloidal systems with pair potentials thatinclude strong short-range attraction, accurate structure factors are a necessity.