The structure factor for liquid metals II. Results for liquid Zn, Tl, Pb, Sn and Bi

Finite-size effects in the static structure factor S(k) and S(0) for a two-dimensional Yukawa liquid

Finite-size effects in the static structure factor S(k) are analyzed for an amorphous substance. As the number of particles is reduced, S(0) increases greatly, up to an order of magnitude. Meanwhile, there is a decrease in the height of the first peak S_{peak}. These finite-size effects are modeled accurately by the Binder formula for S(0) and our empirical formula for S_{peak}. Procedures are suggested to correct for finite-size effects in S(k) data and in the hyperuniformity index H≡S(0)/S_{peak}. These principles generally apply to S(k) obtained from particle positions in noncrystalline substances. The amorphous substance we simulate is a two-dimensional liquid, with a soft Yukawa interaction modeling a dusty plasma experiment.

Comparison of the static structure factor at long wavelengths for a dusty plasma liquid and other liquids

Especially small values of the static structure factor S(k) at long wavelengths, i.e., small k, were obtained in an analysis of experimental data, for a two-dimensional dusty plasma in its liquid state. For comparison, an analysis of S(k) data was carried out for many previously published experiments with other liquids. The latter analysis indicates that the magnitude of S(k) at small k is typically in a range 0.02-0.13. In contrast, the corresponding value for a dusty plasma liquid was found to be as small as 0.0139. Another basic finding for the dusty plasma liquid is that S(k) at small k generally increases with temperature, with its lowest value, noted above, occurring near the melting point. Simulations were carried out for the dusty plasma liquid, and their results are generally consistent with the experiment. Since a dusty plasma has a soft interparticle interaction, our findings support earlier theoretical suggestions that a useful design strategy for creating materials having exceptionally low values of S(0), so-called hyperuniform materials, is the use of a condensed material composed of particles that interact softly at their periphery.

Determination of the structure of liquids: an asymptotic approach

Accurate determination of a liquid structure, especially at high temperatures, remains challenging, as reflected in the scatter between different measurements. The experimental challenge is compounded by the process of the numerical transformation from the structure factor to the radial distribution function. The resulting uncertainty is often greater than that required to resolve issues associated with changes in the short-range order of the liquid, such as the existence of liquid–liquid phase transitions or correlations between thermophysical properties and structure. In the present contribution it is demonstrated for liquid bismuth as a model system that the structure factor can be obtained to high accuracy, by comparing several independent measurements in different setups. A simple method is proposed for improving the accuracy of the radial distribution functions, based on the extension of the finite range of momentum transfer,q, in the measured data by analytical asymptotic expressions. A unified mathematical formalism for the asymptotic dependence of the structure factor is developed and the asymptotic form of the Percus–Yevick hard-sphere solution is obtained as a special limiting case. The multiple expressions in the literature are shown to reflect uncertainty in the nature of the repulsive interatomic interaction at short separation distances. Applying this asymptotic method, it is shown that it enables access to details of the fine structure of the liquid and its temperature dependence.

Estimation of the solute diffusion coefficient of a dilute liquid alloy: static structure factor and isothermal compressibility estimates obtained using the rational function approximation of the radial distribution

A simple method for estimating the mass diffusion coefficient of a dilute binary liquid alloy that sequentially uses experimental data for the static structure factor and isothermal susceptibility of the solvent is presented, as well as another using the static structure factor alone and a method using the isothermal susceptibility alone. A fourth method that simultaneously uses the static structure factor and isothermal susceptibility is also noted. Of significance is the fact that these methods do not require information about the interatomic potential. Stability with respect to weights in the optimization process employed has been established and is reported, as well as some indication of the upper limits on the applicable solute concentration. Comparisons are made with results from a high quality capillary experiment for Pb 1 wt% Au liquid alloy performed in microgravity, and with velocity autocorrelation estimates derived from molecular dynamics simulation. The results suggest that the capillary experiments are influenced by reverse diffusion of the solvent, and actually measure an average of the mass diffusion coefficients, D(ij), weighted by the equilibrium concentrations of the solvent, x(1), and solute, x(2), defined by [Formula: see text] The three methods are required to provide upper and lower estimates for the mixed solvent-solute diffusion coefficient, which is not directly accessible from the experimental data, and demonstrate agreement with the experiment via D(tot).

Temperature dependent next-neighbour dynamics of liquid lead

The temperature dependence of the density correlation function at next-neighbour distances has been investigated for the liquid metal lead. This correlation function is a sensitive parameter for changes in the local environment and its Fourier transform was measured in a coherent inelastic neutron scattering experiment. The zero-frequency amplitude related to the long time decay of density fluctuations decreases in a nonlinear way and indicates a change in dynamics above the melting point. The derived generalized longitudinal viscosity shows a decrease near this temperature range. From these observations we suppose that solidification sets in on a microscopic level distinct above the melting point.