Abstract: The structural transitions of the ground state of a system of repulsively interacting particles confined in a quasi-one-dimensional channel, and the effect of the interparticle interaction as well as the functional form of the confinement potential on those transitions are investigated. Although the nonsequential ordering of transitions (non-SOT), i.e., the 1 – 2 – 4 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – ... sequence of chain configurations with increasing density, is widely robust as predicted in a number of theoretical studies, the sequential ordering of transitions (SOT), i.e., the 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – ... chain, is found as the ground state for long-ranged interparticle interaction and hard-wall-like confinement potentials. We found an energy barrier between every two different phases around its transition point, which plays an important role in the preference of the system to follow either a SOT or a non-SOT. However, that preferential transition requires also the stability of the phases during the transition. Additionally, we analyze the effect of a small structural disorder on the transition between the two phases around its transition point. Our results show that a small deformation of the triangular structure changes dramatically the picture of the transition between two phases, removing in a considerable region the non-SOT in the system. This feature could explain the fact that the non-SOT is, up to now, not observed in experimental systems, and suggests a more advanced experimental setup to detect the non-SOT.

Abstract: Janus particles present an important class of building blocks for directional assembly. These are compartmentalized colloids with two different hemispheres. In this work we consider a three-dimensional model of Janus spheres that contain one hydrophobic and one charged hemisphere. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study the morphology of these particles when confined in a channel-like environment. The interplay between the attractive and repulsive forces on each particle gives rise to a rich phase space where the relative orientation of each particle plays a dominant role in the formation of large-scale clusters. The interest in this system is primarily due to the fact that it could give a better understanding of the mechanisms of the formation of polar membranes. A variety of ordered membranelike morphologies is found consisting of single and multiple connected chain configurations. The helicity of these chains can be chosen by simply changing the salt concentration of the solution. Special attention is given to the formation of Bernal spirals. These helices are composed of regular tetrahedra and are known to exhibit nontrivial translational and rotational symmetry.

Abstract: Electrons on liquid helium can form different phases depending on density, and temperature. Also the electron-ripplon coupling strength influences the phase diagram, through the formation of so-called “ripplonic polarons”, that change how electrons are localized, and that shifts the transition between the Wigner solid and the liquid phase. We use an all-coupling, finite-temperature variational method to study the formation of a ripplopolaron Wigner solid on a liquid helium film for different regimes of the electron-ripplon coupling strength. In addition to the three known phases of the ripplopolaron system (electron Wigner solid, polaron Wigner solid, and electron fluid), we define and identify a fourth distinct phase, the ripplopolaron liquid. We analyse the transitions between these four phases and calculate the corresponding phase diagrams. This reveals a reentrant melting of the electron solid as a function of temperature. The calculated regions of existence of the Wigner solid are in agreement with recent experimental data.

Abstract: Similar to the spontaneous formation of colonies of bacteria, flocks of birds, or schools of fish, “living crystals” can be formed by artificial self-propelled particles such as Janus colloids. Unlike usual solids, these “crystals” are far from thermodynamic equilibrium. They fluctuate in time forming a crystalline structure, breaking apart and re-forming again. We propose a method to stabilize living crystals by applying a weak confinement potential that does not suppress the ability of the particles to perform self-propelled motion, but it stabilizes the structure and shape of the dynamical clusters. This gives rise to such configurations of living crystals as “living shells” formed by Janus colloids. Moreover, the shape of the stable living clusters can be controlled by tuning the potential strength. Our proposal can be verified experimentally with either artificial microswimmers such as Janus colloids, or with living active matter.