STRUCTURE OF A CONFINED FLUID OF HARD ELLIPSOIDS

The density profiles of a fluid of hard ellipsoids confined to a slit are studied by means of a theoretical approach proposed by one of the authors [1]. A density functional is used in which the possible orient ations of the molecules are restricted and in which a geometric approx imation is made for the direct correlation function of the homogeneous fluid. Results are obtained for a range of densities and for both obl ate and prolate ellipsoids of revolution. Monte Carlo simulations of t he same system have also been performed and are found to agree well wi th the theory within the range of parameters studied.