Collective Sliding States for Colloidal Molecular Crystals

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex dynamical behaviors of colloidal molecular crystals driven over periodic substrates, revealing diverse phases and transport signatures through computer simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation study of colloidal molecular crystals, highlighting the rich variety of dynamical phases and polarization effects.

Findings

Identification of distinct pinned and sliding phases

Correlation of phase diagram features with transport signatures

Observation of polarization effects within the pinned phase

Abstract

We study the driving of colloidal molecular crystals over periodic substrates such as those created with optical traps. The n-merization that occurs in the colloidal molecular crystal states produces a remarkably rich variety of distinct dynamical behaviors, including polarization effects within the pinned phase and the formation of both ordered and disordered sliding phases. Using computer simulations, we map the dynamic phase diagrams as a function of substrate strength for dimers and trimers on a triangular substrate, and correlate features on the phase diagram with transport signatures.