Note on crystallization for alternating particle chains

Abstract

We investigate one-dimensional periodic chains of alternate type of particles interacting through mirror symmetric potentials. The optimality of the equidistant configuration at fixed density -- also called crystallization -- is shown in various settings. In particular, we prove the crystallization at any scale for neutral and non-neutral systems with inverse power laws interactions, including the three-dimensional Coulomb potential. We also show the minimality of the equidistant configuration at high density for systems involving inverse power laws and repulsion at the origin. Furthermore, we derive a necessary condition for crystallization at high density based on the positivity of the Fourier transform of the interaction potentials sum.