Defect structure and percolation in the packing of bidispersed particles on a sphere. Issue 39 (29th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mascioli, Andrew M.; Burke, Christopher J.; Giso, Mathew Q.; Atherton, Timothy J.
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 13:Issue 39(2017)
• Page Start: 7090
• Page End: 7097
• Publication Date: 2017-08-29
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00179g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : We study packings of bidispersed spherical particles on a sphere. As bidispersity increases, scars previously observed in monodispersed packings grow and percolate the particles' neighbor network. Abstract : We study packings of bidispersed spherical particles on a spherical surface. The presence of curvature necessitates defects even for monodispersed particles; bidispersity either leads to a more disordered packing for nearly equal radii, or a higher fill fraction when the smaller particles are accommodated in the interstices of the larger spheres. Variation in the packing fraction is explained by a percolation transition, as chains of defects or scars previously discovered in the monodispersed case grow and eventually disconnect the neighbor graph.