title: Structural optimization of model colloidal clusters at the air-water interface using genetic algorithms.
abstract: The structure of colloidal clusters observed at the air-water interface is studied theoretically in this paper using a recently developed global optimization routine based on a genetic algorithm. A model potential with a secondary minimum produced from the attractive van der Waals interaction and repulsive dipolar interaction is used for the colloid-colloid interaction. The structures predicted from the genetic algorithm are not always consistent with the experimental observations; the theoretical results predict the growth of cluster as a spreading of triangular networks, however, the experimental observations seem to suggest the formation of a circular shell structure. More thorough theoretical as well as experimental studies are called for in order to obtain more conclusive evidence regarding these matters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, General Education Center, Musashi Institute of Technology, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8557, Japan. iwamatsu@ph.ns.musashi-tech.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwamatsu
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000465:Algorithms; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013499:Surface Properties; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D014867:Water