Similarity of Short-Range Order in Rapidly Quenched Monatomic Liquids

Abstract

Short-range order in the rapidly quenched states of Lennard-Jones liquid (argon) and simple liquid metal (rubidium) both simulated by the molecular dynamics method is compared with each other. The pair and the triplet distribution functions show typical amorphous structures in both of the states, and obey a law of corresponding states with the mean atomic distance as a scaling parameter. The self-diffusion constant D during the rapid-quenching process seems also to obey a law of corresponding states with the depth of the minimum of the pair potential as another scaling parameter. These similarities suggest that the local arrangement of atoms in an amorphous state of monatomic substance is determined by a common principle irrespective of the nature of interatomic pair potentials.