Template-assisted self-assembly of colloidal crystals

We present the self-assembly of polystyrene particles to colloidal crystals via the dipping method on a topologically structured template. On this system we demonstrate the potential of grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering as an analytical tool to monitor properties of colloidal crystals. Moreover, energy dispersive X-ray reflectometry has been used to investigate the dynamics of the self-assembly in situ.