Nematic line defects in microfluidic channels: wedge, twist and zigzag disclinations. Issue 4 (22nd December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agha, Hakam; Bahr, Christian
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 14:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 653
• Page End: 664
• Publication Date: 2017-12-22
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c7sm02286g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Using the interplay between anchoring, flow and electric field, structural transformations of nematic disclination lines in microfluidic channels are induced. Abstract : We report an experimental study of structural transformations of disclination lines in nematic liquid crystals in microfluidic channels. The anchoring conditions of the channel walls enforce the generation of a disclination line of the wedge type in the absence of flow. The wedge disclination is transformed to a twist disclination by the flow of the nematic liquid crystal in the channel. The application of an electric field perpendicular to the channel axis induces a second transformation to a zigzag shape. The threshold field strength for the second transformation increases with increasing flow velocity. The experimental results are compared to predictions based on model director fields of the different disclination structures.