Scaling in colloidal crystallization

1994

The process of colloidal crystallization has already been separately investigated by light scattering mearurements of the crystalline order (Bragg peaks) and of long-ranged density fluctuations (small-angle scattering). We present the firstsimultaneous small- and large-angle light scattering experiment. Our measurements have been performed on hard-sphere colloids of different particle densities. We show results for the temporal evolution of crystallization and find two distinct regimes: homogeneous nucleation and diffusion- or reaction-limited growth at early times, followed by ripening of the Lifshitz-Slyozov or Lifshitz-Allen-Cahn type. To our preliminary experience, we can already state …