Melting transition in a quasi-two-dimensional colloid suspension: influence of the colloid-colloid interaction

We report the results of a study, using digital video microscopy, of the melting transition in a quasi-two-dimensional suspension of uncharged silica spheres. This system was chosen to further test the dependence of the two-dimensional melting transition on the functional form of the colloid-colloid interaction. Our experimental data show that the solid phase undergoes a first order transition directly to the liquid phase. The system studied yields no evidence of the existence of a hexatic phase interpolating between the solid and liquid phases in the melting process.