Pair distribution function and interatomic forces in amorphous metals

A model of simple amorphous metals is constructed using the Markov chain method. The dependence of the shape of the pair distribution function (PDF) on the magnitude of the interatomic force is studied. The height of the first peak of the PDF changes in proportion to the steepness of the interatomic potential. The most significant manifestation of an amorphous state-the splitting of the second peak-is also strongly dependent on the magnitude of the interatomic force. A simple theory is proposed to explain the phenomena observed.