Structural transitions in laterally compressed two-dimensional Coulomb clusters

We model structural transitions of small-size Wigner crystals in laterally compressed two-dimensional traps. Ground and metastable configurations are calculated and their transformations are linked to conspicuous changes in the heat capacity of the system. We show that various types of structural tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics, 2011-03, Vol.83 (3 Pt 2), p.036409-036409, Article 036409
Main Authors: Rancova, O, Anisimovas, E, Varanavičius, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CALCULATION METHODS
CHARGED PARTICLES
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS
COULOMB FIELD
CRYSTALS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
LEPTONS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPECIFIC HEAT
STRUCTURAL MODELS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRAPPED ELECTRONS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
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Summary:We model structural transitions of small-size Wigner crystals in laterally compressed two-dimensional traps. Ground and metastable configurations are calculated and their transformations are linked to conspicuous changes in the heat capacity of the system. We show that various types of structural transitions are reflected by characteristic features in the behavior of the heat capacity. For deeper understanding, results produced by the Monte Carlo numerical calculations are compared to predictions of simple one-dimensional models.
ISSN:1539-3755
1550-2376
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.83.036409