Homogeneous connectivity of potential energy network in a solidlike state of water cluster

A novel route to the exponential trapping-time distribution within a solidlike state in water clusters is described. We propose a simple homogeneous network (SHN) model to investigate dynamics on the potential energy networks of water clusters. In this model, it is shown that the trapping-time distribution in a solidlike state follows the exponential distribution, whereas the trapping-time distribution in local potential minima within the solidlike state is not exponential. To confirm the exponential trapping-time distribution in a solidlike state, we investigate water clusters, (H₂O)₆ and (H₂O)₁₂, by molecular dynamics simulations. These clusters change dynamically from solidlike to liquidlike state and vice versa. We find that the probability density functions of trapping times in a solidlike state are described by the exponential distribution whereas those of interevent times of large fluctuations in potential energy within the solidlike state follow the Weibull distributions. The results provide a clear evidence that transition dynamics between solidlike and liquidlike states in water clusters are well described by the SHN model, suggesting that the exponential trapping-time distribution within a solidlike state originates from the homogeneous connectivity in the potential energy network. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.