Colloidal interactions in two dimensional nematics

Details Colloidal interactions in two dimensional nematics Colloidal interactions in two dimensional nematics

2002-09-30

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0210004v1

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

7 pages, 7 figures

Scientific paper

10.1140/epje/i2002-10087-y

The interaction between two disks immersed in a 2D nematic is investigated (i) analitically using the tensor order parameter formalism for the nematic configuration around isolated disks and (ii) numerically using finite element methods with adaptive meshing to minimize the corresponding Landau-de Gennes free energy. For strong homeotropic anchoring, each disk generates a pair of defects with one-half topological charge responsible for the 2D quadrupolar interaction between the disks at large distances. At short distance, the position of the defects may change, leading to unexpected complex interactions with the quadrupolar repulsive interactions becoming attractive. This short range attraction in all directions is still anisotropic. As the distance between the disks decreases their preferred relative orientation with respect to the far-field nematic director changes from oblique to perpendicular.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Colloidal interactions in two dimensional nematics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Colloidal interactions in two dimensional nematics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Colloidal interactions in two dimensional nematics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-530173