Nematic liquid crystals on spherical surfaces: control of defect configurations by temperature, density, and rod shape

Recent experiments have shown that defect conformations in spherical nematic liquid crystals can be controlled through variations of temperature, shell thickness, and other environmental parameters. These modifications can be understood as a result of the induced changes in the effective elastic con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhysical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Vol. 86; no. 1 Pt 1; p. 011709
Main Authors Dhakal, Subas, Solis, Francisco J, Olvera de la Cruz, Monica
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 23.07.2012
Subjects
Computer Simulation
Crystallization - methods
Densitometry
Liquid Crystals - chemistry
Macromolecular Substances - chemistry
Models, Chemical
Models, Molecular
Molecular Conformation
Particle Size
Surface Properties
Temperature
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Summary:Recent experiments have shown that defect conformations in spherical nematic liquid crystals can be controlled through variations of temperature, shell thickness, and other environmental parameters. These modifications can be understood as a result of the induced changes in the effective elastic constants of the system. To characterize the relation between defect conformations and elastic anisotropy, we carry out Monte Carlo simulations of a nematic on a spherical surface. As the anisotropy is increased, the defects flow from a tetrahedral arrangement to two coalescing pairs and then to a great circle configuration. We also analyze this flow using a variational method based on harmonic configurations.
ISSN:1550-2376
DOI:10.1103/physreve.86.011709