Curvature and defects in nematic liquid crystals. Issue 13 (7th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Serra, Francesca
• Is Part Of: Liquid crystals. Volume 43:Issue 13/15(2016)
• Page Start: 1920
• Page End: 1936
• Publication Date: 2016-12-07
• Subjects: Nematic liquid crystals (LCs) -- topological defects -- curvature -- soft matter -- self-assembly; Liquid crystals -- Periodicals; 548.905
• DOI: 10.1080/02678292.2016.1209698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-8292

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The use of nematic liquid crystals for directed assembly of particles and for the creation of multistable systems depends on the ability to control the topological defects and the distortions of the director field. These are not only driven by topological constraints and by anchoring energies but also by the curvature field created by the bounding surfaces. This review explores the interaction between defects, topology, inclusions and curvature in nematics. I will introduce the relationship between curvature and the Frank elastic energy in nematics, and then I will give an overview of specific examples that show how this coupling can create unexpected behaviours, such as lock-and-key interactions, anchoring transitions on curved surfaces and memory effects. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: