Phase diagram of SALR fluids on spherical surfaces

We investigate the phase diagram of a fluid of hard-core disks confined to the surface of a sphere and whose interaction potential contains a short-range attraction followed by a long-range repulsive tail (SALR). Based on previous work in the bulk we derive a stability criterion for the homogeneous phase of the fluid, and locate a region of instability linked to the presence of a negative minimum in the spherical harmonics expansion of the interaction potential. The inhomogeneous phases contained within this region are characterized using a mean-field density functional theory. We find several inhomogeneous patterns that can be separated into three broad classes: cluster crystals, stripes, and bubble crystals, each containing topological defects. Interestingly, while the periodicity of inhomogeneous phases at large densities is mainly determined by the position of the negative minimum of the potential expansion, the finite size of the system induces a richer behavior at smaller densities.

Automated summary

In this study, the phase diagram of a fluid of hard-core disks confined to the surface of a sphere with a short-range attraction and long-range repulsive tail interaction potential was investigated. The stability criterion for the homogeneous phase was derived based on previous work, and an instability region linked to a negative minimum in the spherical harmonics expansion of the interaction potential was located. Inhomogeneous phases within this region were characterized using mean-field density functional theory, revealing different patterns such as cluster crystals, stripes, and bubble crystals with topological defects. The periodicity of inhomogeneous phases at large densities is mainly determined by the position of the negative minimum in the potential expansion, while the finite size of the system induces a richer behavior at smaller densities.