Biaxial coherence length in a nematic π-cell

In a highly frustrated calamitic nematic phase, the strain can be relaxed by lowering the nematic order: the starting uniaxial symmetry can be broken and it can be replaced locally with transient biaxial domains. Using simple optical retardation measurements, we estimate the length scale over which...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The European physical journal. E, Soft matter and biological physics Soft matter and biological physics, 2013-10, Vol.36 (10), p.115-115, Article 115
Main Authors: Hamdi, R., Lombardo, G., de Santo, M. P., Barberi, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and Medical Physics
Biophysics
Complex Fluids and Microfluidics
Complex Systems
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Exact sciences and technology
Liquid crystals
Nanotechnology
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Polymer Sciences
Regular Article
Soft and Granular Matter
Structure of solids and liquids
crystallography
Surfaces and Interfaces
Thin Films
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Summary:In a highly frustrated calamitic nematic phase, the strain can be relaxed by lowering the nematic order: the starting uniaxial symmetry can be broken and it can be replaced locally with transient biaxial domains. Using simple optical retardation measurements, we estimate the length scale over which the biaxial disturbance decays in space within a π -cell submitted to a weak electric field. We also characterise the transition cascade from the uniaxial splay texture to a bend texture through slow defect motion. Graphical abstract
ISSN:1292-8941
1292-895X
DOI:10.1140/epje/i2013-13115-y