title: Errorproof programmable self-assembly of DNA-nanoparticle clusters.
abstract: We study theoretically a generic scheme of programmable self-assembly of nanoparticles into clusters of desired geometry. The problem is motivated by the feasibility of highly selective DNA-mediated interactions between colloidal particles. By analyzing both a simple generic model and a more realistic description of a DNA-colloidal system, we demonstrate that it is possible to suppress the glassy behavior of the system, and to make the self-assembly nearly errorproof. This regime requires a combination of stretchable interparticle linkers (e.g., sufficiently long DNA), and a soft repulsive potential. The jamming phase diagram and the error probability are computed for several types of clusters. The prospects for the experimental implementation of our scheme are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Michigan, 450 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: Alexei V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Tkachenko