One- and two-component colloidal glasses under transient shear

In concentrated colloidal mixtures different caging mechanisms exist and result in different arrested states: repulsive, attractive and asymmetric glasses as well as gel-like states. We discuss their microscopic structure, dynamics and rheological response. Special attention is given to the non-linear mechanical behaviour, in particular the transient rheological response after shear is started. Steps in both, shear rate and shear stress (creep test), are considered. The macroscopic viscoelastic response is related to the microscopic structure and dynamics on the individual-particle level.