Hard biaxial ellipsoids revisited: numerical results

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to analyze the phase behavior of hard biaxial ellipsoids across various aspect ratios, comparing results with existing equations of state and identifying phase transition sequences.

Contribution

It provides new numerical data on phase transitions of biaxial ellipsoids and clarifies the sequence of phase formations, including the emergence of biaxial phases after discotic phases.

Findings

Isotropic phase results align with Vega equation of state.

Biaxial phase forms only after discotic phase.

Identified the isotropic-nematic transition point.

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations are performed for hard ellipsoids for a number of values of its semi-axes in the range $c/a \in \{0.1,10\}$. The isotropic phase results are compared to the Vega equation of state [Mol. Phys. {\bf 92} (1997) 651-665]. The position of the isotropic-nematic transition is also evaluated. The biaxial phase is seen to form only after the previous formation of a discotic phase.