Tetratic Phase in 2D Crystals of Squares

TL;DR

This paper investigates the melting behavior of 2D square crystals, revealing a tetratic phase with four-fold orientational order, expanding understanding of phase transitions in anisotropic 2D systems.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of a tetratic phase in 2D square crystals, a novel finding in the context of 2D melting and phase behavior.

Findings

Identification of a tetratic phase with quasi-long-range order

Observation of phase transition from fluid to tetratic to crystal

Use of 3D nanoprinting to create anisotropic particles

Abstract

Melting in 2D is described by the celebrated Kosterlitz-Thouless-Halperin-Nelson-Young (KTHNY) theory. The unbinding of two different types of topological defects destroys translational and orientational order at different temperatures. The intermediate phase is called hexatic and has been measured in 2D colloidal monolayers of isotropic particles. The hexatic is a fluid with six-fold quasi-long-ranged orientational order. Here, the melting of a quadratic, 4-fold crystal is investigated, consisting of squares of about $4 \times 4\;\mu\mathrm{m}$. The anisotropic particles are manufactured from a photoresist using a 3D nanoprinter. In aqueous solution, particles sediment by gravity to a thin cover slide where they form a monolayer. The curvature of the cover slide can be adjusted from convex to concave, which allows to vary the area density of the monolayer in the field of view. For low densities, the squares are free to diffuse and form a 2D fluid while for high densities they form a quadratic crystal. Using a four-fold bond-order correlation function, we resolve the tetratic phase with quasi long ranged orientational order.