Stability of the bcc phase of 4He close to the melting curve : A molecular dynamics study

• We have investigated whether the Aziz et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 70, 4330 (1979)] model for (4)He renders the body-centered cubic phase more stable than the face-centered cubic phase in the proximity of the melting curve. Using molecular dynamics, we have simulated these solid phases in equilibrium with the liquid at a number of densities. In contrast to previous free energy molecular dynamics calculations, the model stabilizes the body-centered cubic phase. The stability field is just 5 degrees. wide below the melting curve at pressures around 140 Kbar and about 70 degrees wide at pressures around 750 Kbar. Considering that the body-centered cubic phase is dynamically unstable at low temperature, this result bears striking similarities to transition metal phase diagrams.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

CENTERED-CUBIC PHASE

EARTHS CORE

HELIUM

IRON

TRANSITIONS

DIAGRAM

EQUATION

STATE

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)