Condensed phases of paramagnetic colloids
Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar
Condensed phases of paramagnetic colloids
- Event time: 1:00pm
- Event date: 12th January 2009
- Speaker: Jure Dobnikar (Jozef Stefan Institute Department for Theoretical Physics Ljubljana Slovenia and University of Cambridge Department of Chemistry Cambridge UK)
- Location: Room 2511, James Clerk Maxwell Building (JCMB) James Clerk Maxwell Building Peter Guthrie Tait Road Edinburgh EH9 3FD GB
Event details
We experimentally and theoretically study the condensed phases of spatially confined
superparamagnetic spherical colloids. Experimentally we observe the micron sized
colloids confined between glass walls by video microscopy, while further insight into
the observed structures is provided by Monte Carlo simulations and by ground state
energy minimization with genetic algorithms. The colloidal interactions are induced
by external magnetic fields with one component perpendicular to the plane of
confinement and the other component rotating in the plane. Depending on the
relative magnitudes of these two components the system changes from purely
repulsive to purely attractive. Additional control over the profile of the interaction is
obtained by varying the thickness of the confining cell.
In the case of core softened repulsive interactions we observe clustering of colloids without the attraction. A large part of the theoretically predicted phases in systems of core-softened particles, including expanded and close-packed hexagonal, square, chain-like, stripe/labyrinthine, and honeycomb phase have been experimentally and numerically confirmed. When the in-plane component is large enough so that the interaction is purely attractive, the kinetics becomes an important factor which determines the foam-like structures observed in the experiment. In the intermediate regime with long-range repulsion and short-range attraction curious froth phases appear that can be explained only when many-body demagnetization effects are accounted for. Very similar phases have recently been observed in type-I superconductors.
Co-authors:
P. Ziherl, N. Osterman, D. Babic, I. Poberaj, J. Fornleitner, G. Kahl, and D. Frenkel
In the case of core softened repulsive interactions we observe clustering of colloids without the attraction. A large part of the theoretically predicted phases in systems of core-softened particles, including expanded and close-packed hexagonal, square, chain-like, stripe/labyrinthine, and honeycomb phase have been experimentally and numerically confirmed. When the in-plane component is large enough so that the interaction is purely attractive, the kinetics becomes an important factor which determines the foam-like structures observed in the experiment. In the intermediate regime with long-range repulsion and short-range attraction curious froth phases appear that can be explained only when many-body demagnetization effects are accounted for. Very similar phases have recently been observed in type-I superconductors.
Co-authors:
P. Ziherl, N. Osterman, D. Babic, I. Poberaj, J. Fornleitner, G. Kahl, and D. Frenkel
About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars
This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..