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Published on: August 14, 2018
Crystallization of Brownian particles in thin systems constrained by walls
Mamoru Fujine1, Masahide Sato2, Tetsuya Toyooka3
1Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
Abstract:
Keeping formation of a colloidal crystal by a centrifugal force in mind, we carry out Brownian dynamics simulations in thin systems and study ordering of particles induced by an external force. During solidification, the two-dimensional ordering along walls initially occurs. Then, the ordered particles on the walls act as substrates, and crystallization proceeds into bulk. When the external force is weak, the close-packed face of the crystal structure is parallel to the bottom wall. The direction of the close-packed face depends on the strength of the external force: The close-packed face becomes parallel to the side walls with a strong external force.
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