Two-dimensional clusters of liquid 4-He

Abstract

The binding energies of two-dimensional clusters (puddles) of $^4$He are calculated in the framework of the diffusion Monte Carlo method. The results are very well fitted by a mass formula in powers of $x=N^{-1/2}$, where $N$ is the number of particles. The analysis of the mass formula allows for the extraction of the line tension, which turns out to be 0.121 K/A. Sizes and density profiles of the puddles are also reported.

19 pages including 2 figs; revtex4. Matches published version: major changes in section V: profiles are now calculated with an unbiased estimator. Conclusions remain unchanged