Abstract:
The close packed (001) face of the anisotropic molecular crystal biphenyl
has been studied using X-ray reflectivity upon approaching the
melting point. No evidence for surface melting has been found, in contrast
to the observations of Chernov and Yakovlev [Langmuir 3 (1987)
635] for the same crystal face against glass. We speculate that in
the latter case the surface melting is not intrinsic but induced by the
roughness
of the glass.