Confined colloidal crystals in and out of equilibrium (D01)

• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2002 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5485412

Using a combination of light scattering and microscopy on the experimental side as well as simulations and lattice sum calculations on the theoretical side, we shall continue to study confined charged colloidal crystals in equilibrium and out of equilibrium. In particular, the equilibrium phase behavior of binary charged mixtures under confinement will be explored. Stable equilibrium crystal structures will be identified as a function of particle interaction and confining geometry. In addition we shall apply external pertubations, to drive the system out of equilibrium. Envisioned are local changes of interaction strength, application of shear (connecting to project group A) and of electric fields (connecting to project group B).

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 6: Physics of Colloidal Dispersions in External Fields
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Co-Applicant Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Hartmut Löwen; Dr. René Messina, until 9/2011; Professor Dr. Thomas Palberg; Professor Dr. Hans Joachim Schöpe