Phonons in rare-gas solids close to melting

Abstract

Calculations of the phonon spectrum of argon using a realistic potential, and including short-range correlation effects by means of the Horner Ansatz, are in excellent agreement with recent neutron-scattering experiments, even within 3 K of the melting temperature. The elastic constants and heat capacity $C_p$ are also in good agreement. The method also gives results for a model of xenon at 163.9 K which agree well with values obtained with the Monte Carlo method.