Melting of two-dimensional tunable-diameter colloidal crystals

Y. Han, N. Y. Ha, A. M. Alsayed, and A. G. Yodh
Phys. Rev. E 77, 041406 – Published 18 April 2008

Abstract

Melting of two-dimensional colloidal crystals is studied by video microscopy. The samples were composed of microgel spheres whose diameters could be temperature tuned, and whose pair potentials were measured to be short ranged and repulsive. We observed two-step melting from the crystal to a hexatic phase and from the hexatic to the liquid phase as a function of the temperature-tunable volume fraction. The translational and orientational susceptibilities enabled us to definitively determine the phase transition points, avoiding ambiguities inherent in other analyses and resolving a “dislocation precursor stage” in the solid phase that some of the traditional analyses may incorrectly associate with the hexatic phase. A prefreezing stage of the liquid with ordered patches was also found.

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  • Received 12 February 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.77.041406

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Y. Han*, N. Y. Ha, A. M. Alsayed, and A. G. Yodh

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, 209 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6396, USA

  • *Present address: Department of Physics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong.
  • Present address: Department of Physics, Ajou University, Suwon 443-749, Korea.

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Issue

Vol. 77, Iss. 4 — April 2008

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