COLLOIDAL CRYSTALLIZATION DYNAMICS

At sufficiently strong interparticle interaction, colloidal particles may form ordered crystalline arrays much in analogy to atomic systems. Well characterized model colloidal suspensions have therefore become valuable model systems for the study of the kinetics of crystal nuclea tion, growth and ripening. Significant progress has been made in this area throughout the past few years. Precise control of interaction par ameters and new instrumental developments have allowed for quantitativ e determination of nucleation rate densities and growth velocities in monodisperse 'hard' and 'soft sphere' systems. Results confirm classic al theories of nucleation and growth adapted to colloidal systems. The current emphasis of research is on modifications to the ideal scenari o leading to a deeper qualitative understanding of underlying microsco pic mechanisms.