# Colloidal clusters ## expand\_more We do experiments on some of the simplest self-assembling systems, called "colloidal clusters," to understand the basic physics of self-assembly. The clusters consists of a small number (say, fewer than 10 or so) spherical colloidal particles that attract one another. What shapes do they form and why? By answering these questions, we gain insights into how to design particles that can self-assemble into exactly the structures we want. ## Publications Download 27 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=30&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchareas%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=14666&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=30&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchareas%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=14666&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=30&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchareas%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=14666&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=30&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchareas%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=14666&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=30&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchareas%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=14666&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=30&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchareas%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=14666&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=30&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_researchareas%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=14666&&&format=ris) ### 2021 Tanjeem, N.; Chomette, C.; Schade, N. B.; Ravaine, S.; Duguet, E.; Treguer-Delapierre, M.; Manoharan, V. N. [Polyhedral Plasmonic Nanoclusters through Multi-Step Colloidal Chemistry](/publications/polyhedral-plasmonic-nanoclusters-through-multi-step-colloidal-chemistry). *Materials Horizons* **2021**, *8* (2), 565-570. Tanjeem, N.; Chomette, C.; Schade, N. B.; Ravaine, S.; Duguet, E.; Treguer-Delapierre, M.; Manoharan, V. N. [Polyhedral Plasmonic Nanoclusters through Multi-Step Colloidal Chemistry](/publications/polyhedral-plasmonic-nanoclusters-through-multi-step-colloidal-chemistry). *Materials Horizons* **2021**, *8* (2), 565-570. - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/mh/d0mh01311k/unauth) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/mh/d0mh01311k/unauth) ### 2020 Gehrels, E. W.; Klein, E. D.; Manoharan, V. N. [Modulating and Addressing Interactions in Polymer Colloids Using Light](/publications/modulating-and-addressing-interactions-polymer-colloids-using-light). *Materials Horizons* **2020**, *7* (2), 586-591. Gehrels, E. W.; Klein, E. D.; Manoharan, V. N. [Modulating and Addressing Interactions in Polymer Colloids Using Light](/publications/modulating-and-addressing-interactions-polymer-colloids-using-light). *Materials Horizons* **2020**, *7* (2), 586-591. - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/mh/c9mh01115c/unauth) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/mh/c9mh01115c/unauth) ### 2018 Klein, E. D.; Perry, R. W.; Manoharan, V. N. [Physical Interpretation of the Partition Function for Colloidal Clusters](/publications/physical-interpretation-partition-function-colloidal-clusters). *Physical Review E* **2018**, *98* (3), 032608. Klein, E. D.; Perry, R. W.; Manoharan, V. N. [Physical Interpretation of the Partition Function for Colloidal Clusters](/publications/physical-interpretation-partition-function-colloidal-clusters). *Physical Review E* **2018**, *98* (3), 032608. - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://journals.aps.org/pre/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevE.98.032608) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://journals.aps.org/pre/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevE.98.032608) ### 2016 Perry, R. W.; Manoharan, V. N. [Segregation of “isotope” Particles Within Colloidal Molecules](/publications/segregation-%E2%80%9Cisotope%E2%80%9D-particles-within-colloidal-molecules). *Soft Matter* **2016**, *12* (11), 2868-2876. Perry, R. W.; Manoharan, V. N. [Segregation of “isotope” Particles Within Colloidal Molecules](/publications/segregation-%E2%80%9Cisotope%E2%80%9D-particles-within-colloidal-molecules). *Soft Matter* **2016**, *12* (11), 2868-2876. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5SM02851E) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry and Manoharan - 201...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perry_and_manoharan_-_2016_-_segregation_of_isotope_particles_within_colloida.pdf) Clusters of spherical particles are called “colloidal molecules” because they adopt structures that resemble those of true molecules. In this analogy, the particles are the atoms, the attractive interactions between them are bonds, and the different... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5SM02851E) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry and Manoharan - 201...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perry_and_manoharan_-_2016_-_segregation_of_isotope_particles_within_colloida.pdf) ### 2015 Cates, M. E.; Manoharan, V. N. [Celebrating Soft Matter’s 10th Anniversary: Testing the Foundations of Classical Entropy: Colloid Experiments](/publications/celebrating-soft-matters-10th-anniversary-testing-foundations-classical). *Soft Matter* **2015**, *11* (33), 6538-6546. Cates, M. E.; Manoharan, V. N. [Celebrating Soft Matter’s 10th Anniversary: Testing the Foundations of Classical Entropy: Colloid Experiments](/publications/celebrating-soft-matters-10th-anniversary-testing-foundations-classical). *Soft Matter* **2015**, *11* (33), 6538-6546. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5SM01014D) - [ picture\_as\_pdfCates and Manoharan - 201...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/cates_and_manoharan_-_2015_-_testing_the_foundations_of_classical_entropy.pdf) Defining the entropy of classical particles raises a number of paradoxes and ambiguities, some of which have been known for over a century. Several, such as Gibbs' paradox, involve the fact that classical particles are distinguishable, and in textbooks... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5SM01014D) - [ picture\_as\_pdfCates and Manoharan - 201...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/cates_and_manoharan_-_2015_-_testing_the_foundations_of_classical_entropy.pdf) Perry, R. W.; Holmes-Cerfon, M. C.; Brenner, M.; Manoharan, V. N. [Two-Dimensional Clusters of Colloidal Spheres: Ground States, Excited States, and Structural Rearrangements](/publications/two-dimensional-clusters-colloidal-spheres-ground-states-excited-states-and). *Phys. Rev. Lett.* **2015**, *114* (22), 228301. Perry, R. W.; Holmes-Cerfon, M. C.; Brenner, M.; Manoharan, V. N. [Two-Dimensional Clusters of Colloidal Spheres: Ground States, Excited States, and Structural Rearrangements](/publications/two-dimensional-clusters-colloidal-spheres-ground-states-excited-states-and). *Phys. Rev. Lett.* **2015**, *114* (22), 228301. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.228301) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry\_PRL\_2015.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perry_et_al._-_2015_-_two-dimensional_clusters_of_colloidal_spheres_gro.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry\_PRL\_2015-Supplement...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/supplemental.pdf) We study experimentally what is arguably the simplest yet nontrivial colloidal system: two-dimensional clusters of six spherical particles bound by depletion interactions. These clusters have multiple, degenerate ground states whose equilibrium... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.228301) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry\_PRL\_2015.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perry_et_al._-_2015_-_two-dimensional_clusters_of_colloidal_spheres_gro.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry\_PRL\_2015-Supplement...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/supplemental.pdf) Perry, R. W. [Internal Dynamics of Equilibrium Colloidal Clusters](/publications/internal-dynamics-equilibrium-colloidal-clusters), 2015. Perry, R. W. [Internal Dynamics of Equilibrium Colloidal Clusters](/publications/internal-dynamics-equilibrium-colloidal-clusters), 2015. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/17465314) Colloidal clusters, aggregates of a few micrometer-sized spherical particles, are a model experimental system for understanding the physics of self-assembly and processes such as nucleation. Colloidal clusters are well suited for studies on these topics... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/17465314) Schade, N. B. [Self-Assembly of Plasmonic Nanoclusters for Optical Metafluids](/publications/self-assembly-plasmonic-nanoclusters-optical-metafluids), 2015. Schade, N. B. [Self-Assembly of Plasmonic Nanoclusters for Optical Metafluids](/publications/self-assembly-plasmonic-nanoclusters-optical-metafluids), 2015. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/17467519) I discuss experimental progress towards developing a material with an isotropic, negative index of refraction at optical frequencies. The simplest way to make such a material is to create a metafluid, or a disordered collection of subwavelength, isotropic... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/17467519) ### 2014 Zeravcic, Z.; Manoharan, V. N.; Brenner, M. [Size Limits of Self-Assembled Colloidal Structures Made Using Specific Interactions](/publications/size-limits-self-assembled-colloidal-structures-made-using-specific). *PNAS* **2014**, *111* (45), 15918 – 15923. Zeravcic, Z.; Manoharan, V. N.; Brenner, M. [Size Limits of Self-Assembled Colloidal Structures Made Using Specific Interactions](/publications/size-limits-self-assembled-colloidal-structures-made-using-specific). *PNAS* **2014**, *111* (45), 15918 – 15923. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1411765111) - [ picture\_as\_pdfZeravcic\_PNAS\_2014.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/zeravcic_et_al._-_2014_-_size_limits_of_self-assembled_colloidal_structures.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfZeravcic\_PNAS\_2014-Suppor...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/supporting_information_-_zeravcic_et_al._-_2014_-_size_limits_of_self-assembled_colloidal_structures.pdf) We establish size limitations for assembling structures of controlled size and shape out of colloidal particles with short-ranged interactions. Through simulations we show that structures with highly variable shapes made out of dozens of particles can... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1411765111) - [ picture\_as\_pdfZeravcic\_PNAS\_2014.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/zeravcic_et_al._-_2014_-_size_limits_of_self-assembled_colloidal_structures.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfZeravcic\_PNAS\_2014-Suppor...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/supporting_information_-_zeravcic_et_al._-_2014_-_size_limits_of_self-assembled_colloidal_structures.pdf) Collins, J. [Self-Assembly of Colloidal Spheres With Specific Interactions](/publications/self-assembly-colloidal-spheres-specific-interactions), 2014. Collins, J. [Self-Assembly of Colloidal Spheres With Specific Interactions](/publications/self-assembly-colloidal-spheres-specific-interactions), 2014. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/12274201?show=full) In this thesis, I discuss engineering colloidal particles to have specific, isotropic interactions and studying their cluster geometries in equilibrium. I discuss light scattering experiments showing that a highly specific protein, Dscam, is unstable... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/12274201?show=full) ### 2013 Fung, J. [Measuring the 3D Dynamics of Multiple Colloidal Particles With Digital Holographic Microscopy](/publications/measuring-3d-dynamics-multiple-colloidal-particles-digital-holographic), 2013. Fung, J. [Measuring the 3D Dynamics of Multiple Colloidal Particles With Digital Holographic Microscopy](/publications/measuring-3d-dynamics-multiple-colloidal-particles-digital-holographic), 2013. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/11181215/Fung_gsas.harvard_0084L_11200.pdf) We discuss digital holographic microscopy (DHM), a 3D imaging technique capable of measuring the positions of micron-sized colloidal particles with nanometer precision and sub-millisecond temporal resolution. We use exact electromagnetic scattering... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/11181215/Fung_gsas.harvard_0084L_11200.pdf) Schade, N.; Holmes-Cerfon, M.; Chen, E.; Aronzon, D.; Collins, J.; Fan, J.; Capasso, F.; Manoharan, V. [ Tetrahedral Colloidal Clusters from Random Parking of Bidisperse Spheres ](/publications/tetrahedral-colloidal-clusters-random-parking-bidisperse-spheres). *Physical Review Letters* **2013**, *110* (14), 148303. Schade, N.; Holmes-Cerfon, M.; Chen, E.; Aronzon, D.; Collins, J.; Fan, J.; Capasso, F.; Manoharan, V. [ Tetrahedral Colloidal Clusters from Random Parking of Bidisperse Spheres ](/publications/tetrahedral-colloidal-clusters-random-parking-bidisperse-spheres). *Physical Review Letters* **2013**, *110* (14), 148303. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.148303) Using experiments and simulations, we investigate the clusters that form when colloidal spheres stick irreversibly to—or “park” on—smaller spheres. We use either oppositely charged particles or particles labeled with complementary DNA sequences, and we... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.148303) Fung, J.; Manoharan, V. [ Holographic Measurements of Anisotropic Three-Dimensional Diffusion of Colloidal Clusters ](/publications/holographic-measurements-anisotropic-three-dimensional-diffusion-colloidal). *Physical Review E* **2013**, *88* (2), 020302. Fung, J.; Manoharan, V. [ Holographic Measurements of Anisotropic Three-Dimensional Diffusion of Colloidal Clusters ](/publications/holographic-measurements-anisotropic-three-dimensional-diffusion-colloidal). *Physical Review E* **2013**, *88* (2), 020302. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.88.020302) We measure all nonzero elements of the three-dimensional diffusion tensor D for clusters of colloidal spheres to a precision of 1% or better using digital holographic microscopy. We study both dimers and triangular trimers of spheres, for which no... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.88.020302) ### 2012 Perry, R. W.; Meng, G.; Dimiduk, T.; Fung, J.; Manoharan, V. N. [Real-Space Studies of the Structure and Dynamics of Self-Assembled Colloidal Clusters](/publications/real-space-studies-structure-and-dynamics-self-assembled-colloidal-clusters). *Faraday Discussions* **2012**, *159* (1), 211-234. Perry, R. W.; Meng, G.; Dimiduk, T.; Fung, J.; Manoharan, V. N. [Real-Space Studies of the Structure and Dynamics of Self-Assembled Colloidal Clusters](/publications/real-space-studies-structure-and-dynamics-self-assembled-colloidal-clusters). *Faraday Discussions* **2012**, *159* (1), 211-234. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C2FD20061A) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry et al. - 2012 - Rea...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perry_et_al._-_2012_-_real-space_studies_of_the_structure_and_dynamics_of_self-assembled_colloidal_clusters.pdf) The energetics and assembly pathways of small clusters may yield insights into processes occurring at the earliest stages of nucleation. We use a model system consisting of micrometer-sized, spherical colloidal particles to study the structure and... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C2FD20061A) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerry et al. - 2012 - Rea...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perry_et_al._-_2012_-_real-space_studies_of_the_structure_and_dynamics_of_self-assembled_colloidal_clusters.pdf) Fan, J.; Bao, K.; Sun, L.; Bao, J.; Manoharan, V.; Nordlander, P.; Capasso, F. [ Plasmonic Mode Engineering With Templated Self-Assembled Nanoclusters ](/publications/plasmonic-mode-engineering-templated-self-assembled-nanoclusters). *Nano Letters* **2012**, *12* (10), 5318-5324. Fan, J.; Bao, K.; Sun, L.; Bao, J.; Manoharan, V.; Nordlander, P.; Capasso, F. [ Plasmonic Mode Engineering With Templated Self-Assembled Nanoclusters ](/publications/plasmonic-mode-engineering-templated-self-assembled-nanoclusters). *Nano Letters* **2012**, *12* (10), 5318-5324. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl302650t) Plasmonic nanoparticle assemblies are a materials platform in which optical modes, resonant frequencies, and near-field intensities can be specified by the number and position of nanoparticles in a cluster. A current challenge is to achieve clusters with... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl302650t) Wang, Y.; Wang, Y.; Breed, D.; Manoharan, V.; Feng, L.; Hollingsworth, A.; Weck, M.; Pine, D. [ Colloids With Valence and Specific Directional Bonding ](/publications/colloids-valence-and-specific-directional-bonding). *Nature* **2012**, *491* (7422), 51-55. Wang, Y.; Wang, Y.; Breed, D.; Manoharan, V.; Feng, L.; Hollingsworth, A.; Weck, M.; Pine, D. [ Colloids With Valence and Specific Directional Bonding ](/publications/colloids-valence-and-specific-directional-bonding). *Nature* **2012**, *491* (7422), 51-55. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature11564) The ability to design and assemble three-dimensional structures from colloidal particles is limited by the absence of specific directional bonds. As a result, complex or low-coordination structures, common in atomic and molecular systems, are rare in the... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature11564) Fung, J.; Perry, R.; Dimiduk, T.; Manoharan, V. [ Imaging Multiple Colloidal Particles by Fitting Electromagnetic Scattering Solutions to Digital Holograms ](/publications/imaging-multiple-colloidal-particles-fitting-electromagnetic-scattering). *Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer* **2012**, *113* (18), 2482-2489. Fung, J.; Perry, R.; Dimiduk, T.; Manoharan, V. [ Imaging Multiple Colloidal Particles by Fitting Electromagnetic Scattering Solutions to Digital Holograms ](/publications/imaging-multiple-colloidal-particles-fitting-electromagnetic-scattering). *Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer* **2012**, *113* (18), 2482-2489. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jqsrt.2012.06.007) Digital holographic microscopy is a fast three-dimensional (3D) imaging tool with many applications in soft matter physics. Recent studies have shown that electromagnetic scattering solutions can be fit to digital holograms to obtain the 3D positions of... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jqsrt.2012.06.007) ### 2011 Fung, J.; Martin, E.; Perry, R.; Kaz, D.; McGorty, R.; Manoharan, V. [ Measuring Translational, Rotational, and Vibrational Dynamics in Colloids With Digital Holographic Microscopy ](/publications/measuring-translational-rotational-and-vibrational-dynamics-colloids-digital). *Optics Express* **2011**, *19* (9), 8051-8065. Fung, J.; Martin, E.; Perry, R.; Kaz, D.; McGorty, R.; Manoharan, V. [ Measuring Translational, Rotational, and Vibrational Dynamics in Colloids With Digital Holographic Microscopy ](/publications/measuring-translational-rotational-and-vibrational-dynamics-colloids-digital). *Optics Express* **2011**, *19* (9), 8051-8065. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.008051) We discuss a new method for simultaneously probing translational, rotational, and vibrational dynamics in dilute colloidal suspensions using digital holographic microscopy (DHM). We record digital holograms of clusters of 1-μm-diameter colloidal spheres... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.008051) Fan, J.; He, Y.; Bao, K.; Wu, C.; Bao, J.; Schade, N.; Manoharan, V.; Shvets, G.; Nordlander, P.; Liu, D.; Capasso, F. [DNA-Enabled Self-Assembly of Plasmonic Nanoclusters](/publications/dna-enabled-self-assembly-plasmonic-nanoclusters). *Nano Letters* **2011**, *11* (11), 4859-4864. Fan, J.; He, Y.; Bao, K.; Wu, C.; Bao, J.; Schade, N.; Manoharan, V.; Shvets, G.; Nordlander, P.; Liu, D.; Capasso, F. [DNA-Enabled Self-Assembly of Plasmonic Nanoclusters](/publications/dna-enabled-self-assembly-plasmonic-nanoclusters). *Nano Letters* **2011**, *11* (11), 4859-4864. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl203194m) DNA nanotechnology provides a versatile foundation for the chemical assembly of nanostructures. Plasmonic nanoparticle assemblies are of particular interest because they can be tailored to exhibit a broad range of electromagnetic phenomena. In this Letter... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl203194m) Arkus, N.; Manoharan, V.; Brenner, M. [ Deriving Finite Sphere Packings ](/publications/deriving-finite-sphere-packings). *SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics* **2011**, *25* (4), 1860. Arkus, N.; Manoharan, V.; Brenner, M. [ Deriving Finite Sphere Packings ](/publications/deriving-finite-sphere-packings). *SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics* **2011**, *25* (4), 1860. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1137/100784424) Sphere packing problems have a rich history in both mathematics and physics; yet, relatively few analytical analyses of sphere packings exist, and answers to seemingly simple questions are unknown. Here, we present an analytical method for deriving all... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1137/100784424) ### 2010 Perro, A.; Manoharan, V. [ Bulk Synthesis of Polymer-Inorganic Colloidal Clusters ](/publications/bulk-synthesis-polymer-inorganic-colloidal-clusters). *Langmuir* **2010**, *26* (24), 18669-18675. Perro, A.; Manoharan, V. [ Bulk Synthesis of Polymer-Inorganic Colloidal Clusters ](/publications/bulk-synthesis-polymer-inorganic-colloidal-clusters). *Langmuir* **2010**, *26* (24), 18669-18675. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/la103308w) We describe a procedure to synthesize colloidal clusters with polyhedral morphologies in high yield (liter quantities at up to 70% purity) using a combination of emulsion polymerization and inorganic surface chemistry. We show that the synthesis initially... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/la103308w) Fan, J.; Wu, C.; Bao, K.; Bao, J.; Bardhan, R.; Halas, N.; Manoharan, V.; Nordlander, P.; Shvets, G.; Capasso, F. [Self-Assembled Plasmonic Nanoparticle Clusters](/publications/self-assembled-plasmonic-nanoparticle-clusters). *Science* **2010**, *328* (5982), 1135-1138. Fan, J.; Wu, C.; Bao, K.; Bao, J.; Bardhan, R.; Halas, N.; Manoharan, V.; Nordlander, P.; Shvets, G.; Capasso, F. [Self-Assembled Plasmonic Nanoparticle Clusters](/publications/self-assembled-plasmonic-nanoparticle-clusters). *Science* **2010**, *328* (5982), 1135-1138. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1187949) The self-assembly of colloids is an alternative to top-down processing that enables the fabrication of nanostructures. We show that self-assembled clusters of metal-dielectric spheres are the basis for nanophotonic structures. By tailoring the number and... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1187949) Fan, J.; Bao, K.; Wu, C.; Bao, J.; Bardhan, R.; Halas, N.; Manoharan, V.; Shvets, G.; Nordlander, P.; Capasso, F. [ Fano-Like Interference in Self-Assembled Plasmonic Quadrumer Clusters ](/publications/fano-interference-self-assembled-plasmonic-quadrumer-clusters). *Nano Letters* **2010**, *10* (11), 4680-4685. Fan, J.; Bao, K.; Wu, C.; Bao, J.; Bardhan, R.; Halas, N.; Manoharan, V.; Shvets, G.; Nordlander, P.; Capasso, F. [ Fano-Like Interference in Self-Assembled Plasmonic Quadrumer Clusters ](/publications/fano-interference-self-assembled-plasmonic-quadrumer-clusters). *Nano Letters* **2010**, *10* (11), 4680-4685. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl1029732) Assemblies of strongly interacting metallic nanoparticles are the basis for plasmonic nanostructure engineering. We demonstrate that clusters of four identical spherical particles self-assembled into a close-packed asymmetric quadrumer support strong Fano... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl1029732) ### 2009 Perro, A.; Duguet, E.; Ravaine, S.; Manoharan, V. N. [Self-Assembly of Polyhedral Hybrid Colloidal Particles](/publications/self-assembly-polyhedral-hybrid-colloidal-particles). *MRS Proceedings*, 2009, *1135*, 1135-CC06. Perro, A.; Duguet, E.; Ravaine, S.; Manoharan, V. N. [Self-Assembly of Polyhedral Hybrid Colloidal Particles](/publications/self-assembly-polyhedral-hybrid-colloidal-particles). *MRS Proceedings*, 2009, *1135*, 1135-CC06. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1135-CC06-08) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerro et al. - 2009 - Sel...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perro_et_al._-_2009_-_self-assembly_of_polyhedral_hybrid_colloidal_parti.pdf) We have developed a new method to produce hybrid particles with polyhedral shapes in very high yield (liter quantities at up to 70% purity) using a combination of emulsion polymerization and inorganic surface chemistry. The procedure has been generalized... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1135-CC06-08) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPerro et al. - 2009 - Sel...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/perro_et_al._-_2009_-_self-assembly_of_polyhedral_hybrid_colloidal_parti.pdf) Arkus, N.; Manoharan, V. N.; Brenner, M. [Minimal Energy Clusters of Hard Spheres With Short Range Attractions](/publications/minimal-energy-clusters-hard-spheres-short-range-attractions). *Physical Review Letters* **2009**, *103* (11), 118303-4. Arkus, N.; Manoharan, V. N.; Brenner, M. [Minimal Energy Clusters of Hard Spheres With Short Range Attractions](/publications/minimal-energy-clusters-hard-spheres-short-range-attractions). *Physical Review Letters* **2009**, *103* (11), 118303-4. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.118303) - [ picture\_as\_pdfArkus et al. - 2009 - Min...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/arkus_et_al._-_2009_-_minimal_energy_clusters_of_hard_spheres_with_short.pdf) We calculate the ground states of hard-sphere clusters, in which n identical hard spherical particles bind by isotropic short-ranged attraction. Combining graph theoretic enumeration with basic geometry, we analytically solve for clusters of n<=10... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.118303) - [ picture\_as\_pdfArkus et al. - 2009 - Min...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/arkus_et_al._-_2009_-_minimal_energy_clusters_of_hard_spheres_with_short.pdf) ### 2006 Manoharan, V. N. [Colloidal Spheres Confined by Liquid Droplets: Geometry, Physics, and Physical Chemistry](/publications/colloidal-spheres-confined-liquid-droplets-geometry-physics-and-physical). *Solid State Communications* **2006**, *139* (11-12), 557-561. Manoharan, V. N. [Colloidal Spheres Confined by Liquid Droplets: Geometry, Physics, and Physical Chemistry](/publications/colloidal-spheres-confined-liquid-droplets-geometry-physics-and-physical). *Solid State Communications* **2006**, *139* (11-12), 557-561. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssc.2006.04.038) - [ picture\_as\_pdfManoharan - 2006 - Colloi...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/manoharan-solidstatecomm_2006.pdf) I discuss how colloidal particles organize when they are confined by emulsion droplets. In these systems, the interplay between surface tension and interparticle repulsion drives the formation of complex, non-crystalline 3D arrangements. These can be... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ssc.2006.04.038) - [ picture\_as\_pdfManoharan - 2006 - Colloi...](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/manoharan/files/manoharan-solidstatecomm_2006.pdf) ### 2005 Cho, Y.-S.; Yi, G.-R.; Lim, J.-M.; Kim, S.-H.; Manoharan, V.; Pine, D.; Yang, S.-M. [Self-Organization of Bidisperse Colloids in Water Droplets](/publications/self-organization-bidisperse-colloids-water-droplets). *Journal of the American Chemical Society* **2005**, *127* (4), 15968-15975. Cho, Y.-S.; Yi, G.-R.; Lim, J.-M.; Kim, S.-H.; Manoharan, V.; Pine, D.; Yang, S.-M. [Self-Organization of Bidisperse Colloids in Water Droplets](/publications/self-organization-bidisperse-colloids-water-droplets). *Journal of the American Chemical Society* **2005**, *127* (4), 15968-15975. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja0550632) Most of the colloidal clusters have been produced from oil-in-water emulsions with identical microspheres dispersed in oil droplets. Here, we present new types of binary colloidal clusters from phase-inverted water-in-oil emulsions using various... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja0550632) ## Alumni [### Solomon Barkley ](/people/solomon-barkley) PhD Physics 2021 Solomon was a PhD student in Physics. He studied the self-assembly and reorganization of colloidal clusters. He also developed experimental and computational tools to increase the amount of information obtained from digital holographic microscopy. Before... ![Solomon](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/manoharan/files/solomon.jpg?itok=eB7GVf-8) [### Lev Bershadsky ](/people/lev-bershadsky) Lev was an undergraduate researcher from Harvard College, where he concentrated in Physics. He worked on methods to measure short-range colloidal interactions using digital holographic microscopy. person [### Jesse W. Collins ](/people/jesse-w-collins)PhD Applied Physics 2014 Jesse was a PhD student in Applied Physics who studied self-assembly of colloidal spheres with specific interactions. He earned his PhD in 2014. ![Jesse](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/manoharan/files/isododechat_cropped-96.png?itok=3wsAjCID) [### Jerome Fung ](/people/jerome-fung)PhD Physics 2013 Jerome was a PhD student in Physics. His research involved characterizing and understanding the 3D dynamics of colloidal systems with holographic microscopy. He earned his PhD from Harvard in 2013. ![Jerome](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/manoharan/files/jerome_1.jpg?itok=1MIbyP9Z) [### Jacquie Ho ](/people/jacquie-ho) Jacqie was an undergraduate researcher from Harvard College, where she concentrated in Physics with a secondary in Music. She worked with Ellen, Maya, and Aaron to investigate colloidal self assembly under competing forces. ![jaquie](/sites/g/files/omnuum4256/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/manoharan/files/img_2953_2.jpg?itok=Z5BKOqhE) [### Yasemin Kiriscioglu ](/people/yasemin-kiriscioglu) Yasemin was an undergraduate researcher from Harvard College, where she concentrated in Physics. She worked on holographic characterization of colloidal clusters. person See also:- [ Previous research areas ](/research-projects/previous-research-areas) - [ Colloidal clusters ](/research-areas/colloidal-clusters) - [ Project descriptions ](/page-categories/project-descriptions)