Abstract
A quantitative theory of melting in two dimensions via the spontaneous generation of grain boundaries is presented. It is found that as the temperature is increased, grain boundaries are generated before the dislocations unbind. Also discussed are (a) the nature of the transition, (b) the coupling of the grain boundaries to a density change, (c) the existence of a hexatic phase, and (d) comparisions with recent computer simulations.
- Received 14 January 1981
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.48.933
©1982 American Physical Society
