Percolation transition in the packing of bidispersed particles on curved surfaces

ORAL

Abstract

We study packings of bidispersed spherical particles on a spherical surface. The presence of curvature necessitates defects even for monodispersed particles; bidispersity either leads to a more disordered packing for nearly equal radii, or a higher fill fraction when the smaller particles are accomodated in the interstices of the larger spheres. Variation in the packing fraction is explained by a percolation transition, as chains of defects or scars previously discovered in the monodispersed case grow and eventually disconnect the neighbor graph.

*The authors thank the Research Corporation for Science Advancement for funding through a Cottrell Award.

Authors

  • Andrew Mascioli

    • Tufts Univ
  • Christopher Burke

    • Tufts Univ
  • Timothy Atherton

    • Tufts Univ