Amorphous deposits with energies below the crystal energy

Abstract

A simple classical atomic liquid at equilibrium was simulated with constant-volume molecular dynamics. The homogeneous liquid was repeatedly quenched at constant volume for a range of densities near the triple-point density. The average energy of the resulting homogeneous amorphous deposits is for the first time observed to be lower than that of the lowest-energy homogeneous crystal. Both the crystal and the amorphous deposits are under tension at these densities. Tension-induced amorphization of the crystal (under perfect-wetting and constant-volume conditions) is also observed for the first time.