Phase diagram and melting scenarios of two-dimensional Hertzian spheres

Abstract: We present computer simulations of a system of purely repulsive soft colloidal particles interacting via the Hertz potential and constrained to a two-dimensional plane. This potential describes the elastic interaction of weakly deformable bodies and can be a reliable model for qualitative description of behavior of soft macromolecules, like globular micelles and star polymers. We find a large number of ordered phases, including the dodecagonal quasicrystal, and analyze the melting scenarios of low density triangle and square phases. It is interesting that depending on the position on the phase diagram the system can melt both through the first order transition and in accordance with the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young (BKTHNY) scenario (two continuous transitions with the intermediate hexatic phase) and also in accordance with recently proposed two-stage melting with the first order hexatic-isotropic liquid transition and continuous solid-hexatic transition. We also demonstrate the possibility of the tricritical point on the melting line.