The quasi-one-dimensional colloid fluid revisited

We report the results of studies of the pair correlation function and equation of state of a quasi-one-dimensional colloid suspension, focusing attention on the behavior in the density range near close packing. Our data show that, despite deviations from true one-dimensional geometry, the colloid fluid is well described as a hard rod Tonks fluid. In our experimental realization, the colloid suspension does not wet the confining walls, one consequence of which is a surface tension induced weak attractive interaction between the particles. The reality of this interaction is confirmed after correction of the raw experimental data for overlap of the optical images of particles that are nearly in contact and by an alternative particle location algorithm based on edge location.