A new Monte Carlo method for calculating surface tension

Abstract

A new Monte Carlo method for calculating the surface tension of a liquid is described. The method is based on a direct evaluation of the free energy required to create a surface, unlike earlier Monte Carlo calculations which evaluated the surface stress. It is applied to the 6:12 fluid in conditions close to the triple point for argon. The calculated surface tension agrees within statistical uncertainty with previous Monte Carlo estimates, but the statistical uncertainty of the present method is much lower. Agreement with experimental data for argon is not good, as should be expected; estimates of the effects of using a correct pair potential and particularly of including three-body interactions indicate that they would lead to good agreement. Copyright © 1976 American Institute of Physics.