Real space and Fourier microscopy of ordered suspension

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Colloidal particles in aqueous suspension interact via long ranged screened electrostatic repulsion. Upon increasing the range and strength of the repulsion fluid, crystalline or glassy states are formed which in analogy to atomic substances are termed colloidal fluids, crystals and glasses. Despite structural equivalence significant differences exist. The softness of colloidal solids e.g. allows to access non-equilibrium shear stabilized structures. The Brownian dynamics on the other hand allow convenient access to solidification and other phase transition kinetics. Lattice constants are on the order of the wave length of visible light, while particle diameters range from a few nm to µm.