Heterogeneous nucleation and microstructure formation in colloidal crystals

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We propose to investigate heterogeneous nucleation and the microstructure evolution in onecomponent and multi-component colloidal melts of various particle interaction bridging different length scales present within this research program. Using various time resolved optical methods, it should be possible to link the observed kinetics to the underlying physical mechanisms. For all aspects of the planned project we arranged collaborations with projects studying heterogeneous nucleation from the theoretical side within the SPP. Inside the project we will look at different types of heterogeneous nucleation. Heterogeneous nucleation on smooth substrates and the following microstructure evolution will be investigated as function of the substrate curvature for different degrees of undercooling. For the first time within the SPP we plan to investigate the heterogeneous nucleation and the microstructure formation introducing structured substrates, varying the lattice spacing and the crystal structure of the substrate. By controlled addition of seeds with various size and concentration we will induce heterogeneous nucleation and will modify the microstructure evolution in close analogy to inoculation in metallic systems. Thereby the determination of the crystallization kinetics and the analysis of the arising microstructure are the most important points.