Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.207, No.1, 130-136, 1998
Electro-optic properties of colloidal crystals as studied by reflection spectroscopy
Electro-optic properties of colloidal crystals of silica spheres in the exhaustively deionized aqueous suspension have been studied by the reflection spectroscopy using a T-type cell. Acoustic shear waves are induced when sine-wave electric fields ranging from 0.01 to 1 Hz are applied. Modulation effects of the crystals on the applied AC fields such as phase delay, change in response intensity, waveform transformation, and harmonics generation are observed. The shear waves propagate outside the electrodes where the electric held is absent. The synchronous fluctuation of the colloidal spheres including expanded electrical double layers in the crystal lattice will be one of the main causes of the electro-optic nature of the crystals.