Molecular dynamics simulations of two-dimensional clusters of charges

Abstract

We study structural and spectral properties of finite classical systems of N two-dimensional charged particles, confined by a parabolic potential ∝ r n , and interacting via inverse power-law potentials ∝ 1/r n . Molecular dynamics simulations are performed for different cluster sizes (N = 30 to 230) and n, n values 1, 2, 3 and 10. We also analyze the phase transition from a ring-like configuration to a Wigner structure as a function of parameter n and anisotropy. We compare our results with Monte Carlo simulations of Bedanov and Peeters, obtaining good agreement. In addition, we determine the Voronoi structure of the cluster. Our work complements that of Cândido, Rino and Studart, who analyzed confinement in a screened parabolic potential.

Ground state configurations and melting of two-dimensional non-uniformly charged classical clusters

“…It closely describes quantum dots in the weak density limit and/or in the high magnetic field limit [11,12], where the kinetic energy of the electrons is quenched. In a finite system there is a competition between the bulk triangular lattice and the circular confinement potential that tries to force the particles into a ring-like configuration [13]. These quantum dots (called also artificial atoms) are atom-like structures that have interesting optical properties and may be of interest for single-electron devices [9], they can serve as hosts for storing quantum information, i.e.…”