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The configurational and melting properties of large two-dimensional clustersof charged classical particles interacting with each other via the Coulombpotential are investigated through the Monte Carlo simulation technique. Theparticles are confined by a harmonic potential. For a large number of particlesin the cluster (N>150) the configuration is determined by two competingeffects, namely in the center a hexagonal lattice is formed, which is thegroundstate for an infinite 2D system, and the confinement which imposes itscircular symmetry on the outer edge. As a result a hexagonal Wigner lattice isformed in the central area while at the border of the cluster the particles arearranged in rings. In the transition region defects appear as dislocations anddisclinations at the six corners of the hexagonal-shaped inner domain. Manydifferent arrangements and type of defects are possible as metastableconfigurations with a slightly higher energy. The particles motion is found tobe strongly related to the topological structure. Our results clearly show thatthe melting of the clusters starts near the geometry induced defects, and thatthree different melting temperatures can be defined corresponding to themelting of different regions in the cluster.Comment: 7 pages, 11 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Topological defects and nonhomogeneous melting of large two-dimensional Coulomb clusters