Abstract.
We obtained monocrystalline droplets in a thermotropic cubic phase, of approximate size 100μm, deposited on a flat surface. The facets of these soft crystals are explored using both an optical microscope and an AFM. The height of individual steps on the principal facets and the lateral distance between steps in vicinal facets are measured using AFM in imaging (tapping) mode. Moreover, the elastic modulus is measured locally, using the AFM tip (in contact mode) as a local rheological probe.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
P. Nozières, F. Pistolesi, S. Balibar, Eur. Phys. J. B 24, 387 (2001).
P. Pieranski, P. Sotta, D. Rohe, M. Impéror-Clerc, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 2409 (2000).
S. Balibar, P. Nozières, Solid State Commun. 92, 19 (1994).
P. Pieranski, M. Bouchih, N. Ginestet, S. Popa-Nita, Eur. Phys. J. E 12, 239 (2003).
C. Even, A. Gourbil, M. Impéror-Clerc, P. Pieranski, M. Veber, Chem. Phys. Chem. 12, 1031 (2002).
M. Impéror-Clerc, Curr. Opin. Colloid Interface Sci. 9, 370 (2005).
T. Plötzing, P. Pieranski, Eur. Phys. J. E 13, 179 (2004).
P. Nozières, J. Phys. (Paris) 50, 2541 (1989).
P. Pieranski, C. Even, D. Rohe, L. Sittler, M. Bouchih, N. Ginestet, S. Popa-Nita, T. Plötzing, J. Grenier, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 434, 235 (2005).
J. Grenier, T. Plötzing, D. Rohe, P. Pieranski, Eur. Phys. J. E 19, 223 (2006).
S. Leroy, J. Grenier, D. Rohe, C. Even, P. Pieranski, this issue, p. 19.
R. Boisgard, J.P. Aimé, G. Couturier, Appl. Surf. Sci. 188, 363 (2002).
C. Basire, C. Frétigny, Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 6, 323 (1999)
T. Yamaguchi, M. Yamada, S. Kutsumizu, S. Yano, Chem. Phys. Lett. 240, 105 (1995).
J.L. Jones, T.C.B. Mc Leish, Langmuir 15, 7495 (1999).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Even, C., Impéror-Clerc, M. & Pieranski, P. Exploring the facets of “soft crystals” using an Atomic Force Microscope. Eur. Phys. J. E 20, 89–98 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2005-10123-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2005-10123-6