Colloidal Crystal Assembly

Hard Sphere Self-Assembly — FCC/HCP Phase Diagram
Sedimentation & Crystal Growth
Phase Diagram (η = volume fraction)
Structure Factor S(q)

Hard Sphere Colloids

At volume fraction η > 0.494, hard spheres spontaneously order into FCC/HCP crystals — driven by entropy, not energy. Crystals maximize free volume.

ηfreeze=0.494, ηmelt=0.545, ηmax=0.740 (FCC)

Phase: Fluid