Elastic theory of defects in toroidal crystals

ABSTRACT: We report a comprehensive analysis of the ground-state properties of axisymmetric toroidal crystals based on the elastic theory of defects on curved substrates. The ground state is analyzed as a function of the aspect ratio of the torus, which provides a non-local measure of the underlying Gaussian curvature, and the ratio of the defect core energy to the Young modulus. Several structural features are discussed, including a spectacular example of curvature-driven amorphization in the limit of the aspect ratio approaching one. The outcome of the elastic theory is then compared with the results of a numerical study of a system of point-like particles constrained on the surface of a torus and interacting via a short-range potential.

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SUBMITTER: Giomi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7087666 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature