Two-dimensional melting of two- and three-component mixtures

• Main Authors: Li, Yan-Wei, Yao, Yugui, Ciamarra, Massimo Pica
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Science::Physics; Melting Transitions; Eutectic Mixture
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/171590
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

We elucidate the interplay between diverse two-dimensional melting pathways and establish solid-hexatic and hexatic-liquid transition criteria via the numerical simulations of the melting transition of two- and three-component mixtures of hard polygons and disks. We show that a mixture's melting pathway may differ from its components and demonstrate eutectic mixtures that crystallize at a higher density than their pure components. Comparing the melting scenario of many two- and three-component mixtures, we establish universal melting criteria: the solid and hexatic phases become unstable as the density of topological defects, respectively, overcomes ρ_{d,s}≃0.046 and ρ_{d,h}≃0.123.