Phase Separation in Two-Dimensional Additive Mixture

TL;DR

This paper investigates phase separation in 2D binary mixtures of squares and disks, revealing an entropic demixing transition between fluid and demixed phases using a cluster algorithm.

Contribution

It introduces a cluster algorithm to study entropic demixing in 2D binary mixtures of squares and disks, identifying the transition between fluid and demixed phases.

Findings

Identification of entropic demixing transition

Demixed phase consists of large squares in close-packed arrangement

Fluid phase contains small squares surrounding large squares

Abstract

We study 2-dimensional binary mixtures of parallel squares as well as of disks. A recent cluster algorithm allows us to establish an entropic demixing transition between a homogeneously packed fluid phase and a demixed phase of a practically close-packed aggregate of large squares surrounded by a fluid of small squares.