Exact on-event expressions for discrete potential systems

Marcus N. Bannerman, Leo Lue

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The properties of systems composed of atoms interacting though discrete potentials are dictated by a series of events which occur between pairs of atoms. There are only four basic event types for pairwise discrete potentials and the square-well/shoulder systems studied here exhibit them all. Closed analytical expressions are derived for the on-event kinetic energy distribution functions for an atom, which are distinct from the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function. Exact expressions are derived that directly relate the pressure and temperature of equilibrium discrete potential systems to the rates of each type of event. The pressure can be determined from knowledge of only the rate of core and bounce events. The temperature is given by the ratio of the number of bounce events to the number of disassociation/association events. All these expressions are validated with event-driven molecular dynamics simulations and agree with the data within the statistical precision of the simulations. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number124506
    JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
    Volume133
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 28 Sept 2010

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Exact on-event expressions for discrete potential systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this