State between Liquid and Crystal: Locally Crystalline but with the Structure Factor of a Liquid

Abstract

Using computer simulations, we study a nonequilibrium state with a liquid-like S(k) but where over 95% of the molecules are in locally crystalline environments. Due to its liquid-like S(k) and slow dynamics, the state is apparently amorphous, although it contains nanocrystalline order. This nanocrystalline order can strongly bias the polymorph that forms when the state crystallizes.