title: Unexpected effect of light on colloidal crystal spacing.
abstract: Colloidal crystals were formed from microsphere suspensions via a simple and novel approach using gel beads. The microspheres self-assembled not only around each bead but also between beads in an ordered pattern. The crystals shrunk under incident light, with the effect of blue (wavelength 450 to 500 nm) being the most profound. The results shed new light on the fundamental issue of self-assembly and colloid science.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Binghua
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Gerald H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Pollack
mesh_terms: D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003460:Crystallization; D008027:Light; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids