The effect of the lateral interactions on the critical behavior of long straight rigid rods on two-dimensional lattices

Abstract

Using Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling analysis, the critical behavior of attractive rigid rods of length $k$ ($k$-mers) on square lattices at intermediate density has been studied. A nematic phase, characterized by a big domain of parallel $k$-mers, was found. This ordered phase is separated from the isotropic state by a continuous transition occurring at a intermediate density $\theta_c$, which increases linearly with the magnitude of the lateral interactions.

Received: 9 July 2009, Accepted: 6 November 2009; Edited by: J. A. Bertolotto; DOI: 10.4279/PIP.010005