Two-phase coexistence in the hard-disk model

TL;DR

This study demonstrates phase separation in a large 2D hard-disk system under weak external force, confirming the local density approximation of density functional theory without evidence of mesophases.

Contribution

It provides empirical validation of the local density approximation in a large-scale 2D hard-disk system under external perturbation.

Findings

Phase separation observed under weak external force.

Thermodynamic profiles match local density approximation.

No evidence of mesophase formation.

Abstract

A two-dimensional system of 10000 hard disks with square periodic boundary conditions, at a density in the middle of the 2-phase region predicted from equation-of-state data, when subjected to a weak external uniform force, is seen to phase separate. Thermodynamic profiles of the inhomogeneous two-phase system agree with the local density approximation (LDA) of density functional theory. There is no indication of any mesophase.