Time-resolved reflection spectrum of ordered structure of monodispersed polystyrene spheres in an electric field
Abstract
Electrically induced changes in lattice structure have been studied by time-resolved reflection spectrum measurements of monodispersed polystyrene latices (diameter 91 nm) in deionized solution. The reflection spectrum peak shifts to longer or shorter wavelengths depending on the polarity of the electric field. The transformation of the lattice structure on applying a voltage has at least two relaxation times. Fast and slow steps correspond to the structural relaxation and the relaxations of grain boundaries or crystallites, respectively. The Young's modulus of the crystallites is evaluated as 62 dyn cm–2 from the magnitude of the shift as a function of electric-field strength. The results support the idea that the electrostatic intersphere repulsion in the effective hard-sphere model is essential for the ordering.
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