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Limiting polytope geometry for rigid rods, disks, and spheres

Journal of Statistical Physics volume 1, pages 179–225 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

The available configuration space for finite systems of rigid particles separates into equivalent disconnected regions if those systems are highly compressed. This paper presents a study of the geometric properties of the limiting high-compression regions (polytopes) for rods, disks, and spheres. The molecular distribution functions represent cross sections through the convex polytopes, and for that reason they are obliged to exhibit single-peak behavior by the Brünn-Minkowski inequality. We demonstrate that increasing system dimensionality implies tendency toward nearest-neighbor particle-pair localization away from contact. The relation between the generalized Euler theorem for the limiting polytopes and cooperative “jamming” of groups of particles is explored. A connection is obtained between the moments of inertia of the polytopes (regarded as solid homogeneous bodies) and crystal elastic properties. Finally, we provide a list of unsolved problems in this geometrical many-body theory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc., 07974, Murray Hill, New Jersey

    Frank H. Stillinger Jr.

  2. Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 77001, Houston, Texas

    Zevi W. Salsburg

Authors
  1. Frank H. Stillinger Jr.
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  2. Zevi W. Salsburg
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Stillinger, F.H., Salsburg, Z.W. Limiting polytope geometry for rigid rods, disks, and spheres. J Stat Phys 1, 179–225 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01007250

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01007250

Key words

  • Rigid spheres
  • Rigid disks
  • Rigid rods
  • Elasticity
  • High pressure
  • Polytopes
  • Convexity
  • Crystal anharmonicity
  • Pair correlation functions
  • Multidimensional geometry
  • Crystalline order
  • Crystal defects