  Patterns generated by a colloidal suspension of nanospheres drying on a
frictional substrate are studied by experiments and computer simulations. The
obtained two-dimensional self-assembled structures are commonly used for
nanosphere lithography. A spring-block stick-slip model is introduced for
simulating the phenomenon and the influence of several controllable parameters
on the final structure is investigated. The model successfully reproduces the
experimentally observed patterns and the dynamics leading to pattern formation
is revealed.
