Half-integer topological defects paired via string micelles in polar liquids.

ABSTRACT: Ferroelectric nematic (N_F) liquid crystals present a compelling platform for exploring topological defects in polar fields, while their structural properties can be significantly altered by ionic doping. In this study, we demonstrate that doping the ferroelectric nematic material RM734 with cationic polymers enables the formation of polymeric micelles that connect pairs of half-integer topological defects. Polarizing optical microscopy reveals that these string defects exhibit butterfly textures, featured with a 2D polarization field divided by Néel-type kink walls into domains exhibiting either uniform polarization or negative splay and bend deformations. Through analysis of electrophoretic motion and direct measurements of polarization divergences, we show that the string mice

SUBMITTER: Ma Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11658416 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature