Shake-induced order in nanosphere systems

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that applying moderate random shaking during the drying of nanosphere suspensions enhances the formation of ordered triangular lattice structures, confirmed through simulations and experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach of using controlled shaking to improve order in nanosphere self-assembly, combining simulations and experiments.

Findings

Moderate shaking increases lattice order in nanosphere assemblies.

Simulations and experiments agree on the positive effect of shaking.

Ordered triangular lattices are more prevalent with shaking.

Abstract

Self-assembled patterns obtained from a drying nanosphere suspension are investigated by computer simulations and simple experiments. Motivated by the earlier experimental results of Sasaki and Hane and Schope, we confirm that more ordered triangular lattice structures can be obtained whenever a moderate intensity random shaking is applied on the drying system. Computer simulations are realized on an improved version of a recently elaborated Burridge-Knopoff-type model. Experiments are made following the setup of Sasaki and Hane, using ultrasonic radiation as source for controlled shaking.