Abstract
We have observed a two-stage melting transition in a two-dimensional (2D) colloidal suspension of highly charged, submicron-sized spheres in water using optical microscopy and digital imaging. Our system is confined between two flat glass plates, has a lateral extent of at least 1000 spheres, and has equilibrated for over 105 time steps. Direct observation of topological defects and computed correlation functions from real-space images gives insight into the nature of the 2D melting process.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1200-1203 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Physical review letters |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1987 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy