Structure characterization of hard sphere packings in amorphous and crystalline states

TL;DR

This paper investigates the channel size distribution in hard sphere packings across different states, revealing microstructural features and hidden order that distinguish between gaseous, liquid, crystalline, and glassy states.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of channel size distribution based on local neighbor correlations to differentiate packing states and uncover microstructural features.

Findings

Channel size distribution effectively distinguishes packing states.

Presence of hidden two-dimensional order in amorphous and crystalline packings.

Microstructural similarities suggest common features across different states.

Abstract

The channel size distribution in hard sphere systems, based on the local neighbor correlation of four particle positions, is investigated for all volume fractions up to jamming. For each particle, all three particle combinations of neighbors define channels, which are relevant for the concept of caging. The analysis of the channel size distribution is shown to be very useful in distinguishing between gaseous, liquid, partially and fully crystallized, and glassy (random) jammed states. A common microstructural feature of four coplanar particles is observed in crystalline and glassy jammed states, suggesting the presence of "hidden" two-dimensional order in three-dimensional random close packings.