Work

Flexoelectricity versus electrostatics in polar nematic liquid crystals

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Polar nematic liquid crystals have two special features, compared with conventional nematic liquid crystals. First, because of flexoelectricity, the combination of polar order and splay reduces the free energy. Second, because of electrostatics, any splay generates a bound charge density, which increases the free energy. To assess the competition between these two effects, we develop a theory that combines flexoelectricity and electrostatics. The theory predicts a phase diagram that includes ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, and conventional nematic phases.

Source: Physical review. E

DOI: 10.1103/physreve.111.l053402

Authors: Lincoln Paik, Jonathan V. Selinger

Institution: Kent State University

Language: English

Topic: Liquid Crystal Research Advancements

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research

Awards: Programmable and Emergent Structures in Soft Matter: Chirality, Polarity, and Auto-Origami, G4840256332, G5295459886