Next: Phase Transitions in
Martensitic Transition in a Confined Colloidal Suspension
Jessica A. Weiss, David W. Oxtoby, David G. Grier,
and Cherry A. Murrray
Wed Feb 15 13:33:18 CST 1995
Abstract:
We describe a nonequilibrium phase transition in a geometrically confined
charge-stabilized colloidal suspension.
The equilibrium configuration for the spheres in this system is a two-layer
square lattice, equivalent to two layers of a body-centered cubic
(bcc) crystal.
After electrophoretic shear melting, the suspension rapidly crystallizes
to a buckled single-layer triangular lattice.
This well-ordered solid phase subsequently undergoes a martensitic phase
transition back to the two-layer square lattice.
We use high resolution digital video microscopy to follow the
emergence and evolution of order during these phase transitions.
David G. Grier
Wed Feb 15 13:32:44 CST 1995