Periodic bulk crystal simulations are performed with superballs with a fluctuating simulation box. Superballs are dispersed with two species of depletants, one with size ratio q1 = 0.35 and one with size ratio q2 = 0.04. For these parameters, The square lattice configuration is stable. By decreasing the size ratio of the smaller species from q2 = 0.04 to q2 = 0.032, we observe a transition into a canted phase, as we observe when the superballs are dispersed only with depletants with a size ratio q1 = 0.35. When the size of the smaller depletant is once again increased (q2 = 0.04), the square phase is restored.
Laura Rossi, Vishal Soni, Douglas J. Ashton, David J. Pine, Albert P. Philipse, Paul M. Chaikin, Marjolein Dijkstra, Stefano Sacanna, and William T. M. Irvine
PNAS. 2015. 112:5286-5290 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1415467112