Small angle neutron scattering experiments from colloidal dispersions at rest and under sheared conditions

Neutron diffraction from charge stabilized shear ordered colloidal dispersions at rest and under sheared conditions are presented. A newly designed shear cell is used to generate a linear shear profile. Hexagonal scattering patterns were observed both at rest and under sheared conditions. The stacking probability A is determined by measuring the intensity dependence of the Bragg spots as a function of the angle between the incoming neutron beam and the sample cell. The shear experiments are discussed in terms of a continuous distortion [W. Loose and B. J. Ackerson, J. Chem. Phys. 101, 7211 (1994)] at small shear rates, and shear melting at higher shear rates.