Translationally invariant colloidal crystal templates

Abstract

We show that dynamic, feed-back controlled optical traps, whose positions depend on the instantaneous local configuration of particles in a pre-determined way, can stabilise colloidal particles in finite lattices of $any$ given symmetry. Unlike in a static template, the crystal so formed is translationally invariant and retains all possible zero energy modes. We demonstrate this $in-silico$ by stabilising the unstable two-dimensional $square$ lattice in a model soft solid with isotropic interactions.

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• Do thermodynamically stable rigid solids exist?
• Traveling band formation in feedback-driven colloids
• Exploring the link between crystal defects and non-affine displacement fluctuations
• Pattern stabilisation in swarms of programmable active matter: a probe for turbulence at large length scales