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Nematic-to-isotropic phase transition at prepatterned topological defects

ORAL

Abstract

Topological defects play an important role in phase transitions in condensed matter. We explore the nematic-to-isotropic transition in an array of topological defects generated by a pre-patterned director field. Isotropic islands nucleate either at the defect cores or away from them, depending on the rate of temperature increase. The isotropic nuclei appearing at the ±1/2

strength defect cores shift away from the cores as the temperature increases. The shape of the isotropic islands at +1/2 defects has a dipolar symmetry, while the islands at -1/2 defects have a trifold symmetry. The effects are associated with the anisotropic surface tension caused by the surface anchoring of the director at the nematic-isotropic interface.

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Publication: H. Nilanthi Padmini §, Miao Jiang§, Hao Chen, Xiayu Feng, Yubing Guo, Maxim O. Lavrentovich, Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Qi-Huo Wei, in preparation. <br>§These authors contributed equally to work.

Presenters

  • Nilanthi P Haputhanthrige

    Kent State University

Authors

  • Nilanthi P Haputhanthrige

    Kent State University

  • Miao Jiang

    Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China

  • Hao Chen

    Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China, Southern University of Science and Technology

  • Xiayu Feng

    Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent

  • Maxim O Lavrentovich

    University of Tennessee

  • Oleg D Lavrentovich

    Kent State University

  • Qi-Huo Wei

    Southern University of Science and Techn, Southern University of Science and Technology

  • Yubin Guo

    Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent