Surface-patterning generated half-skyrmion lattices in cholesteric blue phase thin films. Issue 13 (8th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Shun; Ravnik, Miha; Žumer, Slobodan
• Is Part Of: Liquid crystals. Volume 45:Issue 13/15(2018)
• Page Start: 2329
• Page End: 2340
• Publication Date: 2018-12-08
• Subjects: Blue phases -- half-skyrmions -- surface patterning -- confinement; Liquid crystals -- Periodicals; 548.905
• DOI: 10.1080/02678292.2018.1512168
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-8292

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Liquid crystalline blue phase (BP) II sandwiched between a pair of confining surfaces with specifically designed patterns is studied using numerical simulation based on the Landau-de Gennes phenomenological approach. Directed by the surface patterns, quasi-two-dimensional half-Skyrmion lattices form. Specifically, we observe the formation of square and triangular lattices of half-Skyrmions. These lattices of the swirling skyrmion textures are interspersed with singular −1/2 or −1 line defects, which also constitute quasi-two-dimensional regular lattices. Finally, this work is a contribution to designing and stabilising complex birefringent layer profiles of various symmetries. Graphical Abstract: