Structure Formation in Binary Dipolar Monolayers

During the last decades the structure formation in dipolar colloids attracted considerable scientific interest, because the evolving structures can change the mechanical or optical properties of the matter. This unique feature gives rise to a broad spectrum of applications from composite materials manufacturing to waste water treatment. Binary Dipolar Monolayers (BDM) are two dimensional systems containing two sorts of particles with oppositely oriented electric or magnetic dipole moments which are perpendicular to the plane of motion. In such colloidal systems novel crystalline structures, fractal aggregates, molecular crystalline states occur, furthermore, cluster discrimination can be observed depending on a few parameters. A detailed study of BDMs based on experiments and computer simulations is presented for those who are interested in the statistical physics of soft matter.