PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION Orientational structure of quasi-two-dimensional dipolar hard spheres

The orientational structure of dipolar hard spheres with centres of mass and dipole moments confined to a plane is investigated by Monte Carlo simulation as a function of density and temperature. At low temperature the structure is dominated by rings and extended chains. At high density, as well as ring structures, domains of chain segments with parallel and antiparallel arrangement of the dipole moments tend to form. There is no evidence of gas-liquid coexistence.