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Three-dimensional solitary waves with electrically tunable direction of propagation in nematics

Author

Listed:
  • Bing-Xiang Li

    (Kent State University
    Kent State University)

  • Rui-Lin Xiao

    (Kent State University
    Kent State University)

  • Sathyanarayana Paladugu

    (Kent State University)

  • Sergij V. Shiyanovskii

    (Kent State University
    Kent State University)

  • Oleg D. Lavrentovich

    (Kent State University
    Kent State University
    Kent State University)

Abstract

Production of stable multidimensional solitary waves is a grand challenge in modern science. Steering their propagation is an even harder problem. Here we demonstrate three-dimensional solitary waves in a nematic, trajectories of which can be steered by the electric field in a plane perpendicular to the field. The steering does not modify the properties of the background that remains uniform. These localized waves, called director bullets, are topologically unprotected multidimensional solitons of (3 + 2)D type that show fore-aft and right-left asymmetry with respect to the background molecular director; the symmetry is controlled by the field. Besides adding a whole dimension to the propagation direction and enabling controlled steering, the solitons can lead to applications such as targeted delivery of information and micro-cargo.

Suggested Citation

  • Bing-Xiang Li & Rui-Lin Xiao & Sathyanarayana Paladugu & Sergij V. Shiyanovskii & Oleg D. Lavrentovich, 2019. "Three-dimensional solitary waves with electrically tunable direction of propagation in nematics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11768-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11768-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuan Shen & Ingo Dierking, 2022. "Electrically tunable collective motion of dissipative solitons in chiral nematic films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Ke-Hui Wu & Li-Ting Zhu & Fang-Fang Xiao & Xuejia Hu & Sen-Sen Li & Lu-Jian Chen, 2024. "Light-regulated soliton dynamics in liquid crystals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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