Computer simulation study of the local pressure in a spherical liquid-vapor interface

The pressure profiles across a liquid-vapor interface introduced previously [J. Chem. Phys, 106, 635 (1997)] have been evaluated with the aid of molecular dynamics simulations for a system of particles interacting via a (truncated and shifted) Lennard-Jones potential. This investigation extends earlier results [J. Chem. Phys. 106, 635 (1997)] to spherical interfaces. Further evidence is found that, for the range of curvatures investigated, the surface tension is curvature independent while the investigation of larger curvatures is prevented by the considerable noise found on the liquid side of the interface. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)70445-4].