Stability analysis of the commensurate monolayer solid of xenon/graphite

A stability analysis based on model calculations of the grand potential finds that the transition from hexagonal incommensurate to commensurate monolayer solid of xenon/graphite is continuous with increasing pressure, in agreement with experimental observations. An atomic-scale interaction model gives an internally consistent account of the thermal expansion of the solid at the two-dimensional sublimation curve and of the chemical potential increase for isothermal compression from monolayer condensation to the commensurate solid. An estimate is given for the corrugation energy of xenon/graphite.