Dynamic Structure of He-Ne Mixtures by Molecular Dynamics Simulation: from Hydrodynamic to Fast and Slow Sound Modes

Molecular dynamics (MD) results for the dynamic structure of a He0.77Ne0.23 gas mixture at two densities (15.8 and 36.1 nm(-3)) show a clear crossover from hydrodynamic modes to distinct excitations for the two species. The higher density dispension curve neatly shows high- and low-frequency branches setting on with a rather localized transition. The lower density results agree very well with existing neutron scattering data and, in particular, display hydrodynamic behavior up to k approximate to 2 nm(-1), in contrast with the conclusions of previous simulation studies. A smooth transition to fast sound is shown to take place for 2 <= k/nm(-1) <= 5, where the present MD data fill the existing gap in the experimental results.