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Flow-induced disclination lines in nematic liquid crystals
1Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, (MPIDS), Am Faßberg 17, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Physical Review. E
|November 18, 2025
Summary
Flowing nematic liquid crystals in microfluidic channels generate disclination lines due to wall interactions. These novel disclinations form where elastic forces meet flow shear, with their persistence depending on the director field.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nematic liquid crystals exhibit unique flow behaviors in microfluidic systems.
- Understanding disclination line formation is crucial for controlling liquid crystal alignment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically investigate the generation of disclination lines in microfluidic channels with nematic liquid crystals.
- To analyze the role of flow-induced elastic forces and wall anchoring conditions in disclination formation.
Main Methods:
- Lattice Boltzmann method for numerical simulation.
- Modeling of nematic liquid crystal hydrodynamics and elasticity.
- Analysis of director field evolution and disclination dynamics.
Main Results:
- Disclination lines, specifically twist disclinations, are generated by the interplay of flow and wall anchoring.
- Nucleation occurs where elastic aligning forces are perpendicular to the local shear plane.
- Disclination behavior (persistence or annihilation) depends on the director field configuration.
- Flow-induced disclination arcs form at boundaries of differing anchoring conditions.
Conclusions:
- The numerical model accurately replicates experimental findings, validating the simulation approach.
- Flow and anchoring conditions are key factors in controlling disclination line generation in microfluidic liquid crystals.
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