Glassy Dislocation Dynamics in 2D Colloidal Dimer Crystals

Authors

Sharon J. Gerbode, Harvey Mudd CollegeFollow
Ugmang Agarwal, Cornell University
Desmond C. Ong, Cornell University
Chekesha M. Liddell, Cornell University
Fernando Escobedo, Cornell University
Itai Cohen, Cornell University

Document Type

Article

Department

Physics (HMC)

Publication Date

8-2010

Abstract

Although glassy relaxation is typically associated with disorder, here we report on a new type of glassy dynamics relating to dislocations within 2D crystals of colloidal dimers. Previous studies have demonstrated that dislocation motion in dimer crystals is restricted by certain particle orientations. Here, we drag an optically trapped particle through such dimer crystals, creating dislocations. We find a two-stage relaxation response where initially dislocations glide until encountering particles that cage their motion. Subsequent relaxation occurs logarithmically slowly through a second process where dislocations hop between caged configurations. Finally, in simulations of sheared dimer crystals, the dislocation mean squared displacement displays a caging plateau typical of glassy dynamics. Together, these results reveal a novel glassy system within a colloidal crystal.

Comments

This article is also available from the American Physical Society at http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.078301.

Rights Information

© 2010 American Physical Society

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DOI

10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.078301

Recommended Citation

S. J. Gerbode, U. Agarwal, D. Ong, C. Liddell, F. Escobedo and I. Cohen, “Glassy dislocation dynamics in 2D colloidal dimer crystals” Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 078301 (2010). doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.078301