Colloids on free-standing smectic films |
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Authors: | M. Conradi P. Ziherl A. Šarlah I. Muševič |
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Affiliation: | (1) Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;(2) Department of Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia |
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Abstract: | We study the structure of a free-standing smectic-A film around a micron-size polystyrene colloid adsorbed onto the film. We find that a colloid or a cluster of colloids is surrounded by an optically distinct and radially decorated meniscus ending with a sharp edge. The observed strong and finite-range attraction between the adsorbed colloids is driven by the fusion of menisci. We interpret the structure of the smectic meniscus in terms of a model dominated by the surface free energy and we argue that the characteristic appearance of the meniscus is due to layer undulations. |
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Keywords: | 61.30.Hn Surface phenomena: alignment, anchoring, anchoring transitions, surface-induced layering, surface-induced ordering, wetting, prewetting transitions, and wetting transitions 68.08.Bc Wetting 82.70.Dd Colloids |
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