Dynamics in a two-dimensional core-softened fluid

The dynamical properties of a model one-component core-softened fluid with purely repulsive interactions are found to be very complex. At low temperature the fluid structure exhibits cluster motifs including dimers, stripes, and polygons, depending on density. Single-particle diffusion and the velocity, shear-stress, and wave-vector-dependent current correlation functions have all been calculated using molecular dynamics simulations. The results highlight the presence of well-resolved single-particle and collective motions, which is remarkable for what is essentially a "simple" one-component fluid.