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Observing one-step melting pathway in two-dimensional hard circular particle system
Yanwen Zhu1,2, Shenhua Jiang1,2, Jieli Wang2
1Department of Physics, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Iscience
|August 1, 2025
Summary
Particle size influences two-dimensional melting pathways. Small disks show a two-step melting process, while large disks exhibit a one-step, non-equilibrium phase transition due to cooperative relaxation.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- The nature of two-dimensional melting is a long-standing debate in physics.
- Understanding melting behavior is crucial for materials science and statistical mechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of particle size on the melting pathway of hard circular particles.
- To clarify the debate surrounding two-dimensional melting mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Langevin dynamics simulations were employed to model particle behavior.
- Analysis focused on the dynamical properties and phase transition pathways.
Main Results:
- Small hard circular particles exhibit a two-step melting pathway, consistent with previous studies.
- Large hard circular particles display a one-step melting pathway, identified as a non-equilibrium phase transition.
- The one-step pathway in large particles arises from stable configurations and cooperative relaxation of cage dynamics.
Conclusions:
- Particle size significantly alters the melting pathway in two-dimensional systems.
- The study reveals a novel non-equilibrium melting mechanism in large particle systems.
- Findings contribute to resolving the debate on hard disk melting behavior.
Keywords:
condensed matter physics
