Symmetry-specific characterization of bond orientation order in DNA-assembled nanoparticle lattices

Abstract

Bond-orientational order in DNA-assembled nanoparticle lattices is explored with the help of recently introduced Symmetry-specific Bond Order Parameters (SymBOPs). This approach provides a more sensitive analysis of local order than traditional scalar Bond Order Parameters, facilitating the identification of coherent domains at the single bond level. The present study expands the method initially developed for assemblies of anisotropic particles to the isotropic ones or cases where particle orientation information is unavailable. The SymBOP analysis was applied to experiments on DNA-frame-based assembly of nanoparticle lattices. It proved highly sensitive in identifying coherent crystalline domains with different orientations, as well as detecting topological defects, such as dislocations. Furthermore, the analysis distinguishes individual sublattices within a single crystalline domain, such as pair of interpenetrating FCC lattices within a cubic diamond. The results underscore the versatility and robustness of SymBOPs in characterizing ordering phenomena, making them valuable tools for investigating structural properties in various systems.