Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
A molecular dynamics technique has been used to simulate the melting of a 2-dimensional diatomic crystal and to quench the liquid phase to a solid phase. We demonstrate that a 2-dimensional dense amorphous structure can be obtained and that a 2-dimensional glass transition does exist. Furthermore, atomic vibrations in the liquid can be separated from motion produced by diffusion. The relaxation time during which atoms have a vibratory motion but do not diffuse, diverges to infinity near the observed glass transition. Because of the 2-dimensionality. we are able to display the microscopic processes associated with the glass transition.