Fluctuations in a ferrofluid monolayer: An integral equation study

Abstract

Using integral equation theory in the reference hypernetted chain (RHNC) approximation we investigate the structure and phase behavior of a monolayer of dipolar spheres. The dipole orientations of the particles fluctuate within the plane. The resulting angle dependence of the correlation functions is treated via an expansion in two-dimensional rotational invariants. For homogeneous, isotropic states the RHNC correlation functions turn out to be in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulation data. We then use the RHNC theory combined with a stability (fluctuation) analysis to identify precursors of the low-temperature behavior. As expected, the fluctuations point to pair and cluster formation in the range of low and moderate densities. At high densities, there is no clear indication for a ferroelectric transition, contrary to what is found in three-dimensional dipolar fluids. The stability analysis rather indicates an alignment of chains supplemented by local crystal-like order. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.