Colloids on free-standing smectic films.

M Conradi; P Ziherl; A Sarlah; I Musevic

doi:10.1140/epje/i2006-10016-2

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Colloids on free-standing smectic films.

M Conradi·P Ziherl·A Sarlah·I Musevic

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Abstract

We study the structure of a free-standing smectic-A film around a micron-size polystyrene colloid adsorbed onto the film. We find that a colloid or a cluster of colloids is surrounded by an optically distinct and radially decorated meniscus ending with a sharp edge. The observed strong and finite-range attraction between the adsorbed colloids is driven by the fusion of menisci. We interpret the structure of the smectic meniscus in terms of a model dominated by the surface free energy and we argue that the characteristic appearance of the meniscus is due to layer undulations.

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Adsorption Biomedical Research Cluster Analysis Colloids Computer Simulation Microscopy, Confocal Optics and Photonics Particle Size Polystyrenes Surface Properties Thermodynamics Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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M Conradi, P Ziherl, A Sarlah, I Musevic. 2006-06-21. Colloids on free-standing smectic films.. https://doi.org/10.1140/epje%2Fi2006-10016-2

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