The bridge function of a Lennard-Jones fluid calculated from a second-order Percus-Yevick equation

Following Attard, we obtain a second-order Percus-Yevick equation from the theory of inhomogeneous fluids. Although we calculate the radial distribution function and thermodynamic functions, our main interest is in the calculation of the bridge function, a part of the radial distribution function either not included or simply approximated in the usual theories. A comparison is made with simulation results for the bridge function, correlation functions, and thermodynamic functions for the Lennard-Jones fluid with good results. A comparison is also made with recent binodal chain approximation results. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.