Abstract of the paper ``Random close packing of hard spheres and disks''
A simple definition of random close packing of hard spheres is
presented, and the consequences of this definition are explored.
According to this definition, random close packing occurs at the
minimum packing fraction eta for which the median nearest-neighbor
radius equals the diameter of the spheres. Using the radial distribution
function at more dilute concentrations to estimate median nearest-neighbor
radii, lower bounds on the critical packing fraction are obtained and
the value of eta is estimated by extrapolation. Random close packing is predicted
to occur for eta = 0.64 (+/- 0.02) in three dimensions and
eta = 0.82 (+/- 0.02) in two dimensions. Both of these predictions are
shown to be consistent with the available experimental data.
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