Dynamics and Topology of Symmetry Breaking with Skyrmions
Jaka Pišljar, A. Nych, U. Ognysta, Andrej Petelin, Samo Kralj, Igor Muševič
Abstract
We observe that pretransitional order parameter fluctuations of a skyrmion-forming chiral nematic liquid crystal are slowed down for 4 orders of magnitude, if confined to ≲100 nm thin layers. Fluctuating fragments of half-skyrmions are observed in a narrow temperature interval and are explained by thermally activated hopping between the various energy states. Skyrmion fluctuations are accompanied by imbalanced topological charge: positive charges appear at higher temperatures and dominate in the fluctuating region until skyrmions fully condense and negative charges appear at lower temperatures.
Topics & Concepts
SkyrmionSymmetry breakingTopology (electrical circuits)PhysicsSymmetry (geometry)Dynamics (music)Theoretical physicsClassical mechanicsQuantum mechanicsGeometryMathematicsAcousticsCombinatoricsMagnetic properties of thin filmsTheoretical and Computational PhysicsLiquid Crystal Research Advancements