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Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
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Skyrmion Spin Ice in Liquid Crystals
Ayhan Duzgun1, Cristiano Nisoli1
1Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|February 12, 2021
Summary
We introduce the first skyrmion spin ice using confined liquid crystal skyrmions. These quasiparticles enable precise control over binary variables, paving the way for novel complex behaviors in frustrated systems.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Soft matter physics
- Complex systems
Background:
- Skyrmions are topological quasiparticles with potential applications in information processing.
- Liquid crystals offer a versatile platform for realizing and manipulating emergent phenomena.
- Frustrated systems exhibit complex behaviors due to competing interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate the first realization of skyrmion spin ice.
- To explore the use of liquid crystal skyrmions as controllable binary variables.
- To investigate the potential of skyrmions in designing collective complex behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Confining and interacting liquid crystal skyrmions in a chiral nematic liquid crystal medium.
- Dynamically controlling the creation, annihilation, confinement, and binding of individual skyrmions.
- Modeling skyrmion interactions to form ice-rule states.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the first skyrmion spin ice system using liquid crystal skyrmions.
- Showcased the ability of skyrmions to act as precisely controllable binary variables.
- Established that interacting skyrmions can form ice-rule states.
Conclusions:
- Liquid crystal skyrmions provide a versatile platform for realizing frustrated systems.
- This work opens new avenues for designing collective complex behaviors using emergent quasiparticles.
- Skyrmion spin ice offers a novel approach for future computing paradigms.
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