Melting of mesoscopic lattices of magnetic fluid thin film subjected to perpendicular fields

Applying a magnetic field on the magnetic fluid thin film perpendicularly, leads a phase separation that is concentrated in particles separating from a dilute phase. The concentrated phase forms cylindrical columns that construct two-dimensional lattices. This kind of artificial lattice is a novel mesoscopic system and has been explored with optical microscope, CCD, and digital imaging analysis. We explore the ordering evolution of the two-dimensional extraordinary lattice by varying the applied field. The ordering of these lattices is analyzed in terms of translational and bond-orientation correlation functions to address the two-dimensional melting. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.