Vacancy Formation Energy, Liquid Structure and Criteria for Liquid-Solid Phase Transitions

Abstract

Theoretical models are discussed for close-packed materials which relate vacancy formation energy, Debye temperature and melting temperature. Available theory linking vacancy energy to melting temperature intimately involves the liquid structure at melting. This leads to discussion of three criteria for the solid-liquid phase transition, with particular reference to condensed rare gases. Some directions for further investigation are proposed.

Key Words:

• Vacancy formation energy
• Debye temperature
• melting temperature
• rare gases.