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Crystal nuclei and structural correlations in two-dimensional colloidal mixtures: experiment versus simulation

L Assoud1, F Ebert2, P Keim2, R Messina1, G Maret2 and H Löwen1

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We examine binary mixtures of superparamagnetic colloidal particles confined to a two-dimensional water–air interface both by real-space experiments and Monte Carlo computer simulations at high coupling strength. In the simulations, the interaction is modelled as a pairwise dipole–dipole repulsion. While the ratio of magnetic dipole moments is fixed, the interaction strength governed by the external magnetic field and the relative composition is varied. Excellent agreement between simulation and experiment is found for the partial pair distribution functions including the fine structure of the neighbour shells at high coupling. Furthermore local crystal nuclei in the melt are identified by bond-orientational order parameters and their contribution to the pair structure is discussed.


PACS

82.70.Dd Colloids

68.03.Hj Liquid surface structure: measurements and simulations

61.20.Ja Computer simulation of liquid structure

75.30.Cr Saturation moments and magnetic susceptibilities

75.20.-g Diamagnetism, paramagnetism, and superparamagnetism

Subjects

Soft matter, liquids and polymers

Condensed matter: electrical, magnetic and optical

Surfaces, interfaces and thin films

Chemical physics and physical chemistry

Dates

Issue 46 (18 November 2009)

Received 4 May 2009

Published 27 October 2009



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