Expansion dynamics of Lennard-Jones systems

Abstract

The dynamics of the expansion of a Lennard-Jones system, initially confined at high density and subsequently expanding freely in a vacuum, is compared with an expanding statistical ensemble derived in the diluted quasi-ideal Boltzmann approximation. The description proves to be fairly accurate at predicting average one-body global observables, but important deviations are observed in the configuration-space structure of the events. Possible implications for finite expanding physical systems are outlined.