Structural and dynamical properties of a quasi-one-dimensional classical binary system

TL;DR

This paper investigates the structural configurations and vibrational properties of a quasi-one-dimensional binary charged particle system, revealing complex phase behavior, symmetry breaking, and phonon spectra through analytical and simulation methods.

Contribution

It provides the first combined analytical and simulation study of ground states and normal modes in a Q1D binary charged particle system with detailed phase transition analysis.

Findings

Identified various ordered structures depending on system parameters.

Discovered continuous and discontinuous structural transitions.

Observed symmetry breaking and disordered phases at near equal charges.

Abstract

The ground state configurations and the \lq{}\lq{}normal\rq{}\rq{} mode spectra of a $quasi$-one-dimensional (Q1D) binary system of charged particles interacting through a screened Coulomb potential are presented. The minimum energy configurations were obtained analytically and independently through molecular dynamic simulations. A rich variety of ordered structures were found as a function of the screening parameter, the particle density, and the ratio between the charges of the distinct types of particles. Continuous and discontinuous structural transitions, as well as an unexpected symmetry breaking in the charge distribution are observed when the density of the system is changed. For near equal charges we found a disordered phase where a mixing of the two types of particles occurs. The phonon dispersion curves were calculated within the harmonic approximation for the one- and two-chain structures.