Structure, Dynamics and Phase Transitions of Suspensions of Charged Polymer Spheres in Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium States

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The unique length and time scales characteristic of aqueous suspensions of charged polymer spheres are exploited to study the basic equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of strongly interacting spherical particle systems. Experiments will include optical microscopy, light scattering intensity fluctuation spectroscopy, laser trapping of particles, and neutron scattering, techniques which have already been developed, as well as novel applications of other methods including digital image processing and optical total internal reflection. Nonequilibrium studies will focus on shear induced structure changes in suspension samples which form liquid-like and solid-like structures in equilibrium. Equilibrium studies will investigate local order, dynamics and phase transitions in one, two and three dimensions. Theoretical studies including analog and molecular dynamic computer simulation will support and extend work on local liquid structure, laser trapping and nonequilibrium behavior.