Geometry-induced Orientational Ordering in Chiral Liquid Crystals

ORAL

Abstract

In this work we explore the effect of geometrical confinements on the orientational ordering and transition of topological defects in chiral liquid crystal (LC) droplets. The geometrical confinements are induced by uniaxial stretching as well as compressing of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films. Our experimental and computational results show that compressing a chiral liquid crystal droplet with radial spherical structure (RSS) embedded in a polymer matrix with planar anchoring flattens the spherical droplet to an oblate. The chiral liquid crystal in the outer part of the oblate exhibits the structure similar to that of spherical droplets with RSS rings while the inner part adopts a disc-shape topology with helical axis aligned normal to the surface. Upon uniaxial stretching, the RSS configuration becomes unstable and the reflection band of the frustrated chiral liquid crystal shifts toward shorter wavelengths. This study allows discovery of new phases of chiral liquid crystals for applications in mechano-optical metamaterials.

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Presenters

  • Monirosadat Sadati

    Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago

Authors

  • Monirosadat Sadati

    Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago

  • Jose Martinez-Gonzalez

    Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago

  • Ye Zhou

    Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago

  • Khia Kurtenbach

    Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago

  • Viviana Palacio Betancur

    Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago

  • Juan Pablo Hernandez-Ortiz

    Departamento de Materiales y Minerales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia

  • Juan De Pablo

    Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Institute for Molecular Engineering, Univ of Chicago, Institute for molecular engineering, The University of Chicago, University of Chicago, Univ of Chicago, Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, The Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Institute of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago