Isomorphs, hidden scale invariance, and quasiuniversality

TL;DR

This paper explores the approximate scale invariance in Roskilde-simple liquids, revealing a hidden scale invariance and a quasiuniversal potential-energy function that explains their universal behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a potential-energy formulation of quasiuniversality and demonstrates the hidden scale invariance in systems with good isomorphs.

Findings

Identification of a pseudohomogeneous property of potential energy

Establishment of a quasiuniversal reduced-coordinate potential-energy function

Discussion of consequences of hidden scale invariance

Abstract

This paper first establishes an approximate scaling property of the potential-energy function of a classical liquid with good isomorphs (a Roskilde-simple liquid). This "pseudohomogeneous" property makes explicit that - and in which sense - such a system has a hidden scale invariance. The second part gives a potential-energy formulation of the quasiuniversality of monatomic Roskilde-simple liquids, which was recently rationalized in terms of the existence of a quasiuniversal single-parameter family of reduced-coordinate constant-potential-energy hypersurfaces [J. C. Dyre, Phys. Rev. E 87, 022106 (2013)]. The new formulation involves a quasiuniversal reduced-coordinate potential-energy function. A few consequences of this are discussed.