Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Phase Diagram Characterization Using Magnetic Beads as Liquid Carriers
Published on: September 4, 2015
Entropy versus energy: the phase behavior of a hard-disk mixture in a periodic external potential
Kerstin Franzrahe1, Peter Nielaba
1Department of Physics, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany. Kerstin.Franzrahe@uni-konstanz.de
Abstract:
The phase behavior of a 50% binary hard-disk mixture with diameter ratio sigmaB/sigmaA=0.414 , which is exposed to a one-dimensional periodic potential, is examined via Monte Carlo simulations. We find an induced structural crossover in the modulated liquid. At higher densities, depending on the strength of the external potential, the system exhibits a tunable demixing transition, followed by fluid-solid coexistence of an equimolar mixture with the S1(AB) square lattice. We find a decoupled melting of the sublattices of the S1(AB) lattice. The melting of the small-component sublattice perpendicular to the external potential minima leads to fissuring in the large-component sublattice.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Energy Diagrams - I
Take the example of a skater on a parabolic ramp. The potential energy at different points along the ramp will be proportional to the height of the ramp, which varies quadratically with the horizontal position on the ramp. As the skater moves down the ramp from the highest position,...
States of Matter and Phase Changes
Energy Diagrams - II
The point in the energy diagram at which the system’s potential energy is the lowest is known as the local minima. The system tends to stay in this position indefinitely unless acted upon by a net force. The slope of the potential energy diagram at the local minima is zero, indicating that zero net force is acting on the system. The slope...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution
Entropy Changes Accompanying Specific Processes
Potential-Energy Criterion for Equilibrium

