Aggregation and percolation in a system of adhesive spheres

Abstract

We have studied the aggregation and percolation behavior of a fluid of adhesive spheres by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Cluster statistics have been obtained as a function of temperature and density and compared with the virial results of Post and Glandt. The determination of the percolation threshold from computer simulations is discussed. The percolation threshold of the adhesive sphere system has been obtained as a function of temperature and compared with the Percus–Yevick solution of Chiew and Glandt. Agreement is good except where the Percus–Yevick solution would be expected to fail on physical grounds.