Dynamic evolution of hyperuniformity in a driven dissipative colloidal system

Hyperuniformity is evolving to become a unifying concept that can help classify and characterize equilibrium and nonequilibrium states of matter. Therefore, understanding the extent of hyperuniformity in dissipative systems is critical. Here, we study the dynamic evolution of hyperuniformity in a driven dissipative colloidal system. We experimentally show and numerically verify that the hyperuniformity of a colloidal crystal is robust against various lattice imperfections and environmental perturbations. This robustness even manifests during crystal disassembly as the system switches between strong (class I), logarithmic (class II), weak (class III), and non-hyperuniform states. To aid analyses, we developed a comprehensive computational toolbox, enabling real-time characterization of hyperuniformity in real- and reciprocal-spaces together with the evolution of several order metric features, and measurements showing the effect of external perturbations on the spatiotemporal distribution of the particles. Our findings provide a new framework to understand the basic principles that drive a dissipative system to a hyperuniform state.

Automated summary

Hyperuniformity is emerging as a unified concept to classify and characterize states of matter, with importance placed on dissipative systems. This study examines the dynamic evolution of hyperuniformity in a driven dissipative colloidal system, demonstrating the robustness of hyperuniformity in a colloidal crystal against lattice imperfections and environmental perturbations. A computational toolbox was developed to aid real-time characterization of hyperuniformity and to measure the impact of external perturbations on particle distribution.