Crystals and Liquid Crystals Confined to Curved Geometries

Abstract

Chapter 19 Crystals and Liquid Crystals Confined to Curved Geometries Vinzenz Koning, Vinzenz KoningSearch for more papers by this authorVincenzo Vitelli, Vincenzo VitelliSearch for more papers by this author Vinzenz Koning, Vinzenz KoningSearch for more papers by this authorVincenzo Vitelli, Vincenzo VitelliSearch for more papers by this author Book Editor(s):Alberto Fernandez-Nieves, Alberto Fernandez-Nieves School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USSearch for more papers by this authorAntonio Manuel Puertas, Antonio Manuel Puertas School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USSearch for more papers by this author First published: 29 April 2016 https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119220510.ch19Citations: 3 AboutPDFPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShareShare a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Summary The use of geometry has always been essential in our understanding of the physics of soft matter. This chapter discusses crystalline, and nematic or liquid crystalline. It also discusses the elasticity of crystals and liquid crystals, and provides a classification of the defects in the phases of matter. The chapter explores the fascinating coupling between defects and curvature, and elucidates the role of geometry in this subject. It talks about nematic droplets of toroidal shape. Besides splay and bend, there are two deformations possible in a three-dimensional nematic liquid crystal like twist and saddle-splay. Monte Carlo simulations of nematic shells on uniaxial and biaxial colloidal particles have shown the tendencies for defects to accumulate in the thinnest part and in regions of the highest curvature. Though topology does not prescribe any defects, there is frustration due to the geometric confinement. Citing Literature Fluids, Colloids and Soft Materials: An Introduction to Soft Matter Physics RelatedInformation

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