Hard-disk equation of state: First-order liquid-hexatic transition in two dimensions with three simulation methods

Abstract

We report large-scale computer simulations of the hard-disk system at high densities in the region of the melting transition. Our simulations reproduce the equation of state, previously obtained using the event-chain Monte Carlo algorithm, with a massively parallel implementation of the local Monte Carlo method and with event-driven molecular dynamics. We analyze the relative performance of these simulation methods to sample configuration space and approach equilibrium. Our results confirm the first-order nature of the melting phase transition in hard disks. Phase coexistence is visualized for individual configurations via the orientational order parameter field. The analysis of positional order confirms the existence of the hexatic phase. © 2013 American Physical Society.