Hydrodynamic theory of p-atic liquid crystals

Luca Giomi, John Toner, and Niladri Sarkar
Phys. Rev. E 106, 024701 – Published 5 August 2022

Abstract

We formulate a comprehensive hydrodynamic theory of two-dimensional liquid crystals with generic p-fold rotational symmetry, also known as p-atics, of which nematics (p=2) and hexatics (p=6) are the two best known examples. Previous hydrodynamic theories of p-atics are characterized by continuous O(2) rotational symmetry, which is higher than the discrete rotational symmetry of p-atic phases. By contrast, here we demonstrate that the discrete rotational symmetry allows the inclusion of additional terms in the hydrodynamic equations, which, in turn, lead to novel phenomena, such as the possibility of flow alignment at high shear rates, even for p>2. Furthermore, we show that any finite imposed shear will induce long-ranged orientational order in any p-atic liquid crystal, in contrast to the quasi-long-ranged order that occurs in the absence of shear. The induced order parameter scales like a nonuniversal power of the applied shear rate at small shear rates.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 28 June 2021
  • Revised 2 September 2021
  • Accepted 27 June 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.106.024701

©2022 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Polymers & Soft MatterFluid Dynamics

Authors & Affiliations

Luca Giomi1,*, John Toner2, and Niladri Sarkar1

  • 1Instituut-Lorentz, Universiteit Leiden, P.O. Box 9506, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Physics and Institute of Theoretical Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA

  • *giomi@lorentz.leidenuniv.nl

See Also

Long-Ranged Order and Flow Alignment in Sheared p‐atic Liquid Crystals

Luca Giomi, John Toner, and Niladri Sarkar
Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 067801 (2022)

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 2 — August 2022

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review E

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×