Polymer-Dispersed Cholesteric Liquid Crystal under Homeotropic Anchoring: Electrically Induced Structures with λ1/2-Disclination

Anna P. Gardymova*, Mikhail N. Krakhalev, Vladimir Yu Rudyak, Vadim A. Barbashov, Victor Ya Zyryanov

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Orientational structures of polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal under homeotropic anchoring and their transformations under the action of an electric field are studied. The switching of cholesteric droplets between different topological states are experimentally and theoretically demonstrated. Structures with λ+1/2-disclination are found and considered. These structures are formed during the transformation of a twisted toroidal configuration induced by a decrease in the electric field when a relative chiral parameter N0 > 6.3. The transformation of the initial structure with a bipolar distribution of the helix axis into a twisted toroidal configuration and then into a structure with λ+1/2-disclination is investigated in detail. The behavior of these structures under the influence of an external electric field, as well as the appearance of structures with λ−1/2-disclination, are studied. Obtained results are promising for the development of optical materials with programmable properties.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1454
JournalPolymers
Volume14
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • electric field-induced transformation
  • metastable state
  • orientational structure
  • polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal
  • topological defect

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Polymer-Dispersed Cholesteric Liquid Crystal under Homeotropic Anchoring: Electrically Induced Structures with λ1/2-Disclination'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this