Glass transition in colloidal monolayers controlled by light-induced caging

Glass transition in colloidal monolayers controlled by light-induced caging

We theoretically investigate the glass-transition problem for a  quasi-two-dimensional colloidal dense suspension  modulated by a one-dimensional periodic external potential as imposed by interfering laser beams. Relying on a mode-coupling approach, we examine the nonequilibrium state diagram for hard disks  as a function of the density and the period of the modulation for various potential strengths.  The competition between the local packing and the distortion of the cages induced by the potential leads to a striking nonmonotonic behavior of the glass-transition line which allows  melting of a glass state merely by changing the external fields. 
In particular, we find regions in the non-equilibrium state diagram where a moderate periodic modulation stabilizes the liquid state. 

Context and Methodology

• Monte Carlo Simulation:
  The SSF_MC.zip archive contains code used to generate static structure factors (SSF) for various control parameters in modulated colloidal liquids.

• Mode-Coupling Theory (MCT) Calculation:
  The MCT.zip archive includes C code that solves the mode-coupling theory equations for the glass transition, using the SSF as input.

• Plotting Scripts:
  Python Jupyter notebooks are provided for generating the figures.

For theoretical details, please refer to the published papers:

Mode-coupling theory of the glass transition for a liquid in a periodic potential

Glass transition in colloidal monolayers controlled by light-induced caging

Steps to Generate the Data

1. Run the Monte Carlo simulations to produce static structure factors (SSF) for multiple random seeds.
   After running several simulations, compute the average SSF over all valid results.

2. Run the MCT code using the averaged SSF along with the specified control parameters.
   Instructions for compiling and running the MCT code are included in the MCT directory.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for all desired sets of control parameters.

How to Generate the Plots

• Jupyter notebooks corresponding to each figure are provided.

• The datasets required to reproduce the figures are contained in Figures_Dataset.zip.