Designing, generating and reconfiguring disclination interconnects in nematic liquid crystals
Miao Jiang, Yubing Guo, Robin L. B. Selinger, Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Qi‐Huo Wei
Abstract
Disclinations in nematic liquid crystals are of great interest both theoretically and practically. The ability to create and reconfigure disclinations connecting predetermined points on substrates could enable novel applications such as directed self-assembly of micro/nanoparticles and molecules. In this study, we present a novel approach to design and create disclination interconnects that connect predetermined positions on substrates. We demonstrate that these interconnects can be switched between different states by re-writing photoalignment materials with linearly polarised light and can be switched between metastable states using electric fields.
Topics & Concepts
DisclinationLiquid crystalMaterials scienceMetastabilityLiquid-crystal displayBiaxial nematicElectric fieldOptoelectronicsOpticsNanotechnologyCondensed matter physicsPhysicsQuantum mechanicsLiquid Crystal Research AdvancementsAdvanced Materials and MechanicsOrbital Angular Momentum in Optics