On the connected-charges Thomson problem (original) (raw)

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Abstract

We investigate the modifications brought about by the linear connectivity among charges in the classical Thomson problem. Instead of packing with local hexagonal order interspersed with topological defects, we find charge distributions with helical symmetry wound around the surface of the sphere. This finding should have repercussions in the viral packing and macroion adsorption theories.

Publication:

EPL (Europhysics Letters)

Pub Date:

August 2006

DOI:

10.1209/epl/i2006-10146-1

10.48550/arXiv.cond-mat/0606765

arXiv:

arXiv:cond-mat/0606765

Bibcode:

2006EL.....75..631S

Keywords:

E-Print:

7 pages, 4 figures, version accepted by Europhysics Letters