Ultrasoft colloids in cavities of oscillating size or sharpness

We employ dynamical density functional theory (DDFT) and Brownian Dynamics (BD) simulations to examine the fully developed dynamics of ultrasoft colloids interacting via a Gaussian pair potential in time-dependent external fields. The DDFT formalism employed is that of Marconi and Tarazona [J. Chem. Phys., 110, 8032 (1999)], which allows for determination of the time-dependent density profile based on knowledge of the static, equilibrium density functional. Three different dynamical situations are examined: firstly, the behaviour of Gaussian particles in a spherical cavity of oscillating size, including both sudden and continuous changes in the size of the cavity. Secondly, a spherical cavity with a fixed size but varying sharpness. Finally, to investigate a strong inhomogeneity in the density profile we study the diffusion of one layer of particles which is initially strongly confined and separated from the remaining system via an external potential. In all cases, DDFT is in excellent agreement with BD results, demonstrating the applicability of the theory to dynamical problems involving overdamped interacting particles in a solvent.