title: Communication: Structure characterization of hard sphere packings in amorphous and crystalline states.
abstract: The channel size distribution in hard sphere systems, based on the local neighbor correlation of four particle positions, is investigated for all volume fractions up to jamming. For each particle, all three particle combinations of neighbors define channels, which are relevant for the concept of caging. The analysis of the channel size distribution is shown to be very useful in distinguishing between gaseous, liquid, partially and fully crystallized, and glassy (random) jammed states. A common microstructural feature of four coplanar particles is observed in crystalline and glassy jammed states, suggesting the presence of "hidden" two-dimensional order in three-dimensional random close packings.
authors.affiliation: Multi Scale Mechanics (MSM), MESA+, CTW, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Vitaliy
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ogarko
authors.affiliation: Multi Scale Mechanics (MSM), MESA+, CTW, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rivas
authors.affiliation: Multi Scale Mechanics (MSM), MESA+, CTW, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luding