Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase

We propose a construction of a cholesteric pitch axis for an arbitrary nematic director field as an eigenvalue problem. Our definition leads to a Frenet-Serret description of an orthonormal triad determined by this axis, the director, and the mutually perpendicular direction. With this tool, we are...

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Main Authors:	Daniel A. Beller, Thomas Machon, Simon Čopar, Daniel M. Sussman, Gareth P. Alexander, Randall D. Kamien, Ricardo A. Mosna
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	American Physical Society 2014-09-01
Series:	Physical Review X
Online Access:	http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.4.031050

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spelling	doaj-e361f4c2c0fb46d586ab5042e2c06a662020-11-24T22:42:46ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review X2160-33082014-09-014303105010.1103/PhysRevX.4.031050Geometry of the Cholesteric PhaseDaniel A. BellerThomas MachonSimon ČoparDaniel M. SussmanGareth P. AlexanderRandall D. KamienRicardo A. MosnaWe propose a construction of a cholesteric pitch axis for an arbitrary nematic director field as an eigenvalue problem. Our definition leads to a Frenet-Serret description of an orthonormal triad determined by this axis, the director, and the mutually perpendicular direction. With this tool, we are able to compare defect structures in cholesterics, biaxial nematics, and smectics. Though they all have similar ground state manifolds, the defect structures are different and cannot, in general, be translated from one phase to the other.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.4.031050
collection	DOAJ
language	English
format	Article
sources	DOAJ
author	Daniel A. Beller Thomas Machon Simon Čopar Daniel M. Sussman Gareth P. Alexander Randall D. Kamien Ricardo A. Mosna
spellingShingle	Daniel A. Beller Thomas Machon Simon Čopar Daniel M. Sussman Gareth P. Alexander Randall D. Kamien Ricardo A. Mosna Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase Physical Review X
author_facet	Daniel A. Beller Thomas Machon Simon Čopar Daniel M. Sussman Gareth P. Alexander Randall D. Kamien Ricardo A. Mosna
author_sort	Daniel A. Beller
title	Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase
title_short	Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase
title_full	Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase
title_fullStr	Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase
title_full_unstemmed	Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase
title_sort	geometry of the cholesteric phase
publisher	American Physical Society
series	Physical Review X
issn	2160-3308
publishDate	2014-09-01
description	We propose a construction of a cholesteric pitch axis for an arbitrary nematic director field as an eigenvalue problem. Our definition leads to a Frenet-Serret description of an orthonormal triad determined by this axis, the director, and the mutually perpendicular direction. With this tool, we are able to compare defect structures in cholesterics, biaxial nematics, and smectics. Though they all have similar ground state manifolds, the defect structures are different and cannot, in general, be translated from one phase to the other.
url	http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.4.031050
work_keys_str_mv	AT danielabeller geometryofthecholestericphase AT thomasmachon geometryofthecholestericphase AT simoncopar geometryofthecholestericphase AT danielmsussman geometryofthecholestericphase AT garethpalexander geometryofthecholestericphase AT randalldkamien geometryofthecholestericphase AT ricardoamosna geometryofthecholestericphase
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Geometry of the Cholesteric Phase

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