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Abstract
Matter self-assembling into layers generates unique properties, including structures of stacked surfaces, directed transport, and compact area maximization that can be highly functionalized in biology and technology. Smectics represent the paradigm of such lamellar materials - they are a state between fluids and solids, characterized by both orientational and partial positional ordering in one layering direction, making them notoriously difficult to model, particularly in confining geometries. We propose a complex tensor order parameter to describe the local degree of lamellar ordering, layer displacement and orientation of the layers for simple, lamellar smectics. The theory accounts for both dislocations and disclinations, by regularizing singularities within defect cores and so remaining continuous everywhere. The ability to describe disclinations and dislocation allows this theory to simulate arrested configurations and inclusion-induced local ordering. This tensorial theory for simple smectics considerably simplifies numerics, facilitating studies on the mesoscopic structure of topologically complex systems.
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Ma LL, Li CY, Pan JT, Ji YE, Jiang C, Zheng R, Wang ZY, Wang Y, Li BX, Lu YQ. Self-assembled liquid crystal architectures for soft matter photonics. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2022; 11:270. [PMID: 36100592 PMCID: PMC9470592 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-022-00930-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled architectures of soft matter have fascinated scientists for centuries due to their unique physical properties originated from controllable orientational and/or positional orders, and diverse optic and photonic applications. If one could know how to design, fabricate, and manipulate these optical microstructures in soft matter systems, such as liquid crystals (LCs), that would open new opportunities in both scientific research and practical applications, such as the interaction between light and soft matter, the intrinsic assembly of the topological patterns, and the multidimensional control of the light (polarization, phase, spatial distribution, propagation direction). Here, we summarize recent progresses in self-assembled optical architectures in typical thermotropic LCs and bio-based lyotropic LCs. After briefly introducing the basic definitions and properties of the materials, we present the manipulation schemes of various LC microstructures, especially the topological and topographic configurations. This work further illustrates external-stimuli-enabled dynamic controllability of self-assembled optical structures of these soft materials, and demonstrates several emerging applications. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of these materials towards soft matter photonics, and envision future perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ling Ma
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chao-Yi Li
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jin-Tao Pan
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yue-E Ji
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chang Jiang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ren Zheng
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ze-Yu Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yu Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Bing-Xiang Li
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Yan-Qing Lu
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Jeridi H, Niyonzima JDD, Sakr C, Missaoui A, Shahini S, Vlad A, Coati A, Goubet N, Royer S, Vickridge I, Goldmann M, Constantin D, Garreau Y, Babonneau D, Croset B, Gallas B, Lhuillier E, Lacaze E. Unique orientation of 1D and 2D nanoparticle assemblies confined in smectic topological defects. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4792-4802. [PMID: 35708225 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00376g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
New collective optical properties have emerged recently from organized and oriented arrays of closely packed semiconducting and metallic nanoparticles (NPs). However, it is still challenging to obtain NP assemblies which are similar everywhere on a given sample and, most importantly, share a unique common orientation that would guarantee a unique behavior everywhere on the sample. In this context, by combining optical microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and synchrotron-based grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GISAXS) of assemblies of gold nanospheres and of fluorescent nanorods, we study the interactions between NPs and liquid crystal smectic topological defects that can ultimately lead to unique NP orientations. We demonstrate that arrays of one-dimensional - 1D (dislocations) and two-dimensional - 2D (grain boundaries) topological defects oriented along one single direction confine and organize NPs in closely packed networks but also orient both single nanorods and NP networks along the same direction. Through the comparison between smectic films associated with different kinds of topological defects, we highlight that the coupling between the NP ligands and the smectic layers below the grain boundaries may be necessary to allow for fixed NP orientation. This is in contrast with 1D defects, where the induced orientation of the NPs is intrinsically induced by the confinement independently of the ligand nature. We thus succeeded in achieving the fixed polarization of assemblies of single photon emitters in defects. For gold nanospheres confined in grain boundaries, a strict orientation of hexagonal networks has been obtained with the 〈10〉 direction strictly parallel to the defects. With such closely packed and oriented NPs, new collective properties are now foreseen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifa Jeridi
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
- OMNES Education Research Center, ECE Paris, 37 Quai de Grenelle, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Jean de Dieu Niyonzima
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
- Physics department, School of Science, College of Science and Technology, University of Rwanda, Po. Box: 3900, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Charbel Sakr
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France
| | - Amine Missaoui
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Sharif Shahini
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, 162a, Avenue de la Faencerie, L-1511, Luxembourg
| | - Alina Vlad
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, BP 48, L'Orme des Merisiers, 91192 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Alessandro Coati
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, BP 48, L'Orme des Merisiers, 91192 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Nicolas Goubet
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Laboratoire de la Molécule aux Nano-objets; Réactivité, Interactions et Spectroscopies MONARIS, 4 Pl Jussieu, Case Co, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Royer
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Ian Vickridge
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Michel Goldmann
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, BP 48, L'Orme des Merisiers, 91192 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Doru Constantin
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut Charles Sadron, CNRS UPR022, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Yves Garreau
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, BP 48, L'Orme des Merisiers, 91192 Gif sur Yvette Cedex, France
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques, CNRS, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - David Babonneau
- Departement Physique et Mecanique des Materiaux, Institut P', UPR 3346 CNRS, Université de Poitiers SP2MI, TSA 41123, 86073 Poitiers cedex 9, France
| | - Bernard Croset
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Bruno Gallas
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Emmanuel Lhuillier
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Emmanuelle Lacaze
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut des Nano-Sciences de Paris (INSP), F-75005 Paris, France.
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Choudhary A, Kumar S, Bawa A, Singh SP, Thakur AK, Biradar AM. Hierarchical self-assembling and helical structure in focal conic domains in meniscus of ferroelectric liquid crystal. Phys Rev E 2022; 105:044706. [PMID: 35590554 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.105.044706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We investigate experimentally the formation of focal conic domains of the ferroelectric phase of a liquid crystal, chiral smectic C (SmC^{*}), in the meniscus geometry. The meniscus geometry is formed in the gap between two glass plates which are placed on a common substrate. This gap is called here a physical cavity. Focal conic domains (FCDs) in the physical cavity with dimensions of micrometer scale are investigated under an optical polarizing microscope which enables us to extract the information on the helical structure formation in the constraint and gradient topological meniscus interface. The helical pitch in the FCD is observed to be shorter than in planar confined geometry. A crucial phenomenon of unwrapping and wrapping of helical structure from one FCD to another is also observed. In-plane application of an electric field on a FCD revealed the asymmetric helical unwinding process whereas an increase in temperature has shown symmetrical unwinding. The helical structure based observation is significant for understanding the ferroelectric phase in focal conic domains and their application in microlenses and optical components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Choudhary
- Physics Department, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Kalkaji, New Delhi-110019, India
| | - Suraj Kumar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110012, India
| | - Ambika Bawa
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110012, India
| | - Surinder P Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad-201002, India
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110012, India
| | | | - Ashok M Biradar
- CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110012, India
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Xia J, MacLachlan S, Atherton TJ, Farrell PE. Structural Landscapes in Geometrically Frustrated Smectics. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 126:177801. [PMID: 33988388 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.126.177801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A phenomenological free energy model is proposed to describe the behavior of smectic liquid crystals, an intermediate phase that exhibits orientational order and layering at the molecular scale. Advantageous properties render the functional amenable to numerical simulation. The model is applied to a number of scenarios involving geometric frustration, leading to emergent structures such as focal conic domains and oily streaks and enabling detailed elucidation of the very rich energy landscapes that arise in these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingmin Xia
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
| | - Scott MacLachlan
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Timothy J Atherton
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Patrick E Farrell
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
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Role of Stimuli on Liquid Crystalline Defects: From Defect Engineering to Switchable Functional Materials. MATERIALS 2020; 13:ma13235466. [PMID: 33266312 PMCID: PMC7729749 DOI: 10.3390/ma13235466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Achieving tunable physical properties is currently one of the most exciting research topics. In order to realize this goal, a medium that is responsive to external stimuli and can undergo a change in its physical property is required. Liquid crystal (LC) is a prominent candidate, as its physical and optical properties can be easily manipulated with various stimuli, such as surface anchoring, rubbing, geometric confinement, and external fields. Having broken away from the past devotion to obtaining a uniform domain of LCs, people are now putting significant efforts toward forming and manipulating ordered and oriented defect structures with a unique arrangement within. The complicated molecular order with tunability would benefit the interdisciplinary research fields of optics, physics, photonics, and materials science. In this review, the recent progress toward defect engineering in the nematic and smectic phases by controlling the surface environment and electric field and their combinational methods is introduced. We close the review with a discussion of the possible applications enabled using LC defect structures as switchable materials.
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