Diverging Static Length Scales and Clustering in Cold Lennard-Jones Fluids

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We report molecular-dynamics simulations on a three-dimensional two-component Lennard-Jones fluid. We identify two distinct static length scales. The longer length scale, which diverges at low temperatures, is continuous with the high-temperature static correlation length. The shorter length scale reflects static clusters that form below a Tₘc of approximately 2 well above an apparent melting point Tₘ of approximately 1.08. We partially visualize the clusters; their maximum radius is temperature-independent. Cluster static and dynamic properties match Kivelson's model (S. A. Kivelson, et al., J. Chem. Phys. 101, 2391 (1994)) for frustration-limited cluster-forming glasses.