Computational probes of molecular motion in the Lewis-Wahnstrom model for ortho-terphenyl

We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate translational and rotational diffusion in a rigid three-site model of the fragile glass former ortho-terphenyl, at 260 K <= T <= 346 K and ambient pressure. An Einstein formulation of rotational motion is presented, which supplements the commonly used Debye model. The latter is shown to break down at supercooled temperatures as the mechanism of molecular reorientation changes from small random steps to large infrequent orientational jumps. We find that the model system exhibits non-Gaussian behavior in translational and rotational motion, which strengthens upon supercooling. Examination of particle mobility reveals spatially heterogeneous dynamics in translation and rotation, with a strong spatial correlation between translationally and rotationally mobile particles. Application of the Einstein formalism to the analysis of translation-rotation decoupling results in a trend opposite to that seen in conventional approaches based on the Debye formalism, namely, an enhancement in the effective rate of rotational motion relative to translation upon supercooling. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.