Structural ordering of trapped colloids with competing interactions

Abstract

The structure of colloids with competing interactions which are confined in a harmonic external trap potential is analyzed numerically by energy minimization in two spatial dimensions. A wealth of different cluster structures is found to be stable including clusters with a fringed outer rim (reminiscent to an ornamental border), clusters perforated with voids, as well as clusters with a crystalline core and a disordered rim. All cluster structures occur in a two-dimensional parameter space. The structural ordering can therefore be efficiently tuned by changing few parameters only providing access to a controlled fabrication of colloidal clusters.