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Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
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Surface alignment of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals
Federico Caimi1, Giovanni Nava1, Raouf Barboza2
1Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine Dept., University of Milano, 20054 Segrate, Italy. tommaso.bellini@unimi.it.
Soft Matter
|September 15, 2021
Summary
The polar nematic phase, a new liquid crystal state, exhibits unique surface alignment behaviors. Understanding these ferroelectric nematic properties is key for advanced display and optical technologies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Liquid Crystal Physics
Background:
- Nematic liquid crystals are vital for displays due to their optical and electrical properties.
- The newly discovered polar nematic phase offers novel applications but requires surface interaction studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the surface alignment of the ferroelectric nematic phase.
- To understand how different substrates affect the nematic orientation, defects, and electric field response.
Main Methods:
- Testing various rubbed and unrubbed substrates with differing surface coupling strengths and anchoring orientations.
- Analyzing nematic orientation, topological defects, and electric field response.
Main Results:
- Observed diverse behaviors specific to the ferroelectric nematic phase due to polar symmetry breaking.
- Demonstrated easy achievement of planar polar preferential alignment using rubbed polymer surfaces.
- Showcased the significant impact of cell electrostatics on ferroelectric ordering homogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Surface alignment in ferroelectric nematic phases is distinct from conventional nematics.
- Rubbed polymer surfaces facilitate controllable planar polar alignment.
- Electrostatic conditions critically influence the homogeneity of ferroelectric nematic ordering.
