Modulated phases of nematic liquid crystals induced by tetrahedral order
Fuente:
arXiv
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2021
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1866911037228318720 |
|---|---|
| author | Rosseto, Michely P. Selinger, Jonathan V. |
| author_facet | Rosseto, Michely P. Selinger, Jonathan V. |
| contents | Recent theoretical research has developed a general framework to understand director deformations and modulated phases in nematic liquid crystals. In this framework, there are four fundamental director deformation modes: twist, bend, splay, and a fourth mode $Δ$ related to saddle-splay. The first three of these modes are known to induce modulated phases. Here, we consider modulated phases induced by the fourth mode. We develop a theory for tetrahedral order in liquid crystals, and show that it couples to the $Δ$ mode of director deformation. Because of geometric frustration, the $Δ$ mode cannot fill space by itself, but rather must be accompanied by twist or splay. Hence, it may induce a spontaneous cholesteric phase, with either handedness, or a splay nematic phase. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2112_15218 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Modulated phases of nematic liquid crystals induced by tetrahedral order Rosseto, Michely P. Selinger, Jonathan V. Soft Condensed Matter Recent theoretical research has developed a general framework to understand director deformations and modulated phases in nematic liquid crystals. In this framework, there are four fundamental director deformation modes: twist, bend, splay, and a fourth mode $Δ$ related to saddle-splay. The first three of these modes are known to induce modulated phases. Here, we consider modulated phases induced by the fourth mode. We develop a theory for tetrahedral order in liquid crystals, and show that it couples to the $Δ$ mode of director deformation. Because of geometric frustration, the $Δ$ mode cannot fill space by itself, but rather must be accompanied by twist or splay. Hence, it may induce a spontaneous cholesteric phase, with either handedness, or a splay nematic phase. |
| title | Modulated phases of nematic liquid crystals induced by tetrahedral order |
| topic | Soft Condensed Matter |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2112.15218 |