Role of inherent structure defects in two-dimensional melting

Defects in inherent structures are reduced by approximately 80% compared to their equilibrium counterparts during two-dimensional melting. We numerically investigate the properties of inherent defects and their role in determining system states in two systems known to undergo continuous melting transitions. Despite being minor compared to virtual defects, which disappear during minimization, inherent defects alone can dictate the system's state. This is evidenced by the similar decay exponents of translational and bond-orientational correlation functions in thermal and minimized configurations, as well as the growth of isolated dislocations and disclinations among inherent defects in the hexatic and liquid phases, respectively. Inherent defects are primarily located in plastic regions during minimization and tend to cluster in the liquid phase, while the anti-correlated plastic and elastic behaviors of inherent structures transition in the hexatic phase. These findings highlight the critical role of inherent defects in two-dimensional melting.