The Self-Assembly of Particles with Multipolar Interactions

Abstract

In this thesis, we describe results from investigations of the self-assembly of anisotropically interacting particles. In particular, we focus upon the roles of dipolar and higher order multipolar interactions on the patterns of self-organization. Using an experimental model system of vertically vibrated magnetic spheres, we investigate the e®ects of octopolar and higher order interactions on the pattern of self-assembly. We show that simple theoretical point charge models can be used to provide insight into the underlying causes of the observed phenomena. We also show that such models can be used to better understand the pattern formation in several related physical systems, including biological macromolecular self-assembly and cohesive granular materials.