Global Minima of the Thomson Problem in a Disk: A Molecular Dynamics Approach with Fixed Border Charges
Finding the most stable arrangements of repelling particles in a confined space
Researchers discovered new optimal arrangements for 60, 61, 92, and 99 mutually repelling charged particles confined to a disk using computational simulations. These arrangements are more stable than any previously found, with the new solutions improving on the best-known energies by measurable margins and showing clear, reproducible symmetry patterns.
Understanding how charged particles arrange themselves in confined spaces applies to real systems from quantum dots in electronics to how atomic nuclei might organize under extreme conditions. The improved configurations provide stronger benchmarks for testing computational methods and could inform the design of materials and devices that depend on precise particle arrangements.