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arXiv · 2403.00678

Controlled creation of point defects in 3D colloidal crystals

Max P. M. Schelling·Janne-Mieke Meijer
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Abstract

Crystal defects crucially influence the properties of crystalline materials and have been extensively studied. Even for the simplest type of defect - the point defect - however, basic properties such as their diffusive behavior, and their interactions, remain elusive on the atomic scale. Here we demonstrate in-situ control over the creation of isolated point defects in a 3D colloidal crystal allowing insight on a single particle level. Our system consists of thermoresponsive microgel particles embedded in a crystal of non-responsive colloids. Heating this mixed particle system triggers the shrinking of the embedded microgels, which then vacate their lattice positions creating vacancy-interstitial pairs. We use temperature-controlled confocal laser scanning microscopy to verify and visualize the formation of the point defects. In addition, by re-swelling the microgels we quantify the local lattice distortion around an interstitial defect. Our experimental model system provides a unique opportunity to shed new light on the interplay between point defects, on the mechanisms of their diffusion, on their interactions, and on collective dynamics.

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Max P. M. Schelling, Janne-Mieke Meijer. 2024-03-01. Controlled creation of point defects in 3D colloidal crystals. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.109.l062601

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