Abstract
We formulate a hydrodynamic theory of -atic liquid crystals, namely, two-dimensional anisotropic fluids endowed with generic -fold rotational symmetry. Our approach, based on an order parameter tensor that directly embodies the discrete rotational symmetry of -atic phases, allows us to unveil several unknown aspects of flowing -atics, that previous theories, characterized by O(2) rotational symmetry, could not account for. This includes the onset of long-ranged orientational order in the presence of a simple shear flow of arbitrary shear rate, as opposed to the standard quasi-long-ranged order of two-dimensional liquid crystals, and the possibility of flow alignment at large shear rates.
- Received 21 October 2021
- Accepted 24 June 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.067801
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