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Nematic twist-bend phase with nanoscale modulation of molecular orientation

Author

Listed:
  • V. Borshch

    (Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University)

  • Y.-K. Kim

    (Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University)

  • J. Xiang

    (Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University)

  • M Gao

    (Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University)

  • A Jákli

    (Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University)

  • V. P. Panov

    (Trinity College, University of Dublin)

  • J. K. Vij

    (Trinity College, University of Dublin)

  • C. T. Imrie

    (School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen)

  • M. G. Tamba

    (University of Hull)

  • G. H. Mehl

    (University of Hull)

  • O. D. Lavrentovich

    (Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University)

Abstract

A state of matter in which molecules show a long-range orientational order and no positional order is called a nematic liquid crystal. The best known and most widely used (for example, in modern displays) is the uniaxial nematic, with the rod-like molecules aligned along a single axis, called the director. When the molecules are chiral, the director twists in space, drawing a right-angle helicoid and remaining perpendicular to the helix axis; the structure is called a chiral nematic. Here using transmission electron and optical microscopy, we experimentally demonstrate a new nematic order, formed by achiral molecules, in which the director follows an oblique helicoid, maintaining a constant oblique angle with the helix axis and experiencing twist and bend. The oblique helicoids have a nanoscale pitch. The new twist-bend nematic represents a structural link between the uniaxial nematic (no tilt) and a chiral nematic (helicoids with right-angle tilt).

Suggested Citation

  • V. Borshch & Y.-K. Kim & J. Xiang & M Gao & A Jákli & V. P. Panov & J. K. Vij & C. T. Imrie & M. G. Tamba & G. H. Mehl & O. D. Lavrentovich, 2013. "Nematic twist-bend phase with nanoscale modulation of molecular orientation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3635
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3635
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    Cited by:

    1. Rodolfo Subert & Gerardo Campos-Villalobos & Marjolein Dijkstra, 2024. "Achiral hard bananas assemble double-twist skyrmions and blue phases," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Ramakrishna Kotni & Albert Grau-Carbonell & Massimiliano Chiappini & Marjolein Dijkstra & Alfons Blaaderen, 2022. "Splay-bend nematic phases of bent colloidal silica rods induced by polydispersity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.

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