Journal
NATURE MATERIALS
Volume 11, Issue 11, Pages 948-951Publisher
NATURE PORTFOLIO
DOI: 10.1038/NMAT3429
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- Rhodia, the English speaking union
- MRSEC of the National Science Foundation [DMR-0820054, DMR-0820341]
- National Science Foundation [DMR-0808812, NSF DMR 1105417]
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien
- Division Of Materials Research [820054] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien
- Division Of Materials Research [1105417] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Understanding the effect of curvature and topological frustration in crystals yields insights into the fragility of the ordered state. For instance, a one-dimensional crystal of identical charged particles can accommodate an extra particle (interstitial) if all the particle positions are readjusted, yet in a planar hexagonal crystal interstitials remain trapped between lattice sites and diffuse by hopping(1-3). Using optical tweezers operated independently of three-dimensional imaging, we inserted interstitials in a lattice of similar colloidal particles sitting on flat or curved oil/glycerol interfaces, and imaged the ensuing dynamics. We find that, unlike in flat space, the curved crystals self-heal through a collective particle rearrangement that redistributes the increased density associated with the interstitial. This process can be interpreted in terms of the out-of-equilibrium interaction of topological defects with each other and with the underlying curvature. Our observations suggest the existence of particle fractionalization on curved surface crystals.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available