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DY: Fachverband Dynamik und Statistische Physik

DY 31: Poster: Statistical Physics

DY 31.17: Poster

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 15:00–18:00, Poster C

In pursue of the tetratic phase in hard rectangles — •Denis Dertli and Thomas Speck — Institut für Theoretische Physik IV der Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Deutschland

We consider two-dimensional systems of hard rectangles motivated by the collective behavior of self-assembled DNA-based nanostructures. We investigate this system in the NPT ensemble through extensive hard-particle Monte Carlo simulations. The phase behavior is controlled by the packing fraction and the aspect ratio of the particles. Both the equation of state and free-energy profiles of order parameters point to a continuous Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young (KTHNY) two-step melting/freezing scenario interpolating between the smectic and isotropic phase. While rod-like particles with large aspect ratio assemble in an intervening nematic phase, a ``tetratic'' phase is found for moderately elongated rectangles. Our approach demonstrates the distinct properties of these phases and provides a quantitative determination of phase boundaries. Our findings can be verified in recent experiments of biological systems composed of DNA-based nanostructures.

Keywords: Collective behavior; Self-assembly; Hard-particle Monte Carlo simulations; Phase behavior/transitions; DNA-based nanostructures