PHASE-DIAGRAM FOR THE DOMAIN-WALL LATTICE OF KRYPTON ON GRAPHITE

We show that the elastic constants of a domain-wall lattice (DWL) such as the incommensurate phase of krypton on graphite can be determined directly from the isothermal variation of its misfit with chemical potential. The stability of the DWL to the creation of free dislocations is analyzed, and the Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young melting transition is located. At certain coverages, as the temperature is reduced, the DWL is predicted to melt. Because the location of this reentrant fluid transition depends on the substrate corrugation, a still undetermined quantity, experimental studies to locate the transition will help determine the corrugation magnitude. © 1990 The American Physical Society.