Competition of Lattice and Basis for Alignment of Nematic Liquid Crystals

Autor: DeBenedictis, Andrew, Anquetil-Deck, Candy, Cleaver, Douglas J., Emerson, David B., Wolak, Mathew, Adler, James H., Atherton, Timothy J.
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Zdroj: Phys. Rev. E 92, 042501 (2015)
Druh dokumentu: Working Paper
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.92.042501
Popis: Due to elastic anisotropy, two-dimensional patterning of substrates can promote weak azimuthal alignment of adjacent nematic liquid crystals. Here, we consider how such alignment can be achieved using a periodic square lattice of circular or elliptical motifs. In particular, we examine ways in which the lattice and motif can compete to favor differing orientations. Using Monte Carlo simulation and continuum elasticity we find, for circular motifs, an orientational transition depending on the coverage fraction. If the circles are generalised to ellipses, arbitrary control of the effective alignment direction and anchoring energy becomes achievable by appropriate tuning of the ellipse motif relative to the periodic lattice patterning. This has possible applications in both monostable and bi-stable liquid crystal device contexts.
Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures
Databáze: arXiv