Phase transitions in small clusters of atoms

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Abstract
The Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the average thermodynamic properties of small (N?13) clusters of atoms. All cluster sizes studied exhibit fairly sharp solid–liquid, as well as liquid–gas, transitions. In addition, some of the larger clusters also undergo structural transitions between different isomeric forms. The solid–liquid transition temperature is determined by four independent tests. The melting points predicted by these tests do not differ by more than 5%.