Abstract
Colloidal crystals resulting from charged stabilized particles in water are well known. Here we describe experiments on colloidal and water droplets particles in largely non conducting, oil based systems such as decalin/CHB (cyclohexyl bromide). The non aqueous environment greatly reduces the electrostatic screening and yields "classical Wigner crystals" with lattice constants as large as 40 microns. Water droplets in these oils are also charged and form similar crystals. Water with its high dielectric constant acts as an ion pump for the oil. Mixtures of charged colloids and water droplets produce two dimensional Wigner crystals (due to image charges), colloidosomes (water droplets coated with a monolayer of colloidal particles) and confined finite number (2,3,4...) Wigner crystals in two and three dimensions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Number of pages | 1 |
Journal | Journal De Physique. IV : JP |
Volume | 131 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2005 |
Event | ECRYS-2005: International Workshop on Electronic Crystals - Cargese, France Duration: Aug 21 2005 → Aug 27 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy