• Open Access

Geometry of Bend: Singular Lines and Defects in Twist-Bend Nematics

Jack Binysh, Joseph Pollard, and Gareth P. Alexander
Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 047801 – Published 24 July 2020
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

We describe the geometry of bend distortions in liquid crystals and their fundamental degeneracies, which we call β lines; these represent a new class of linelike topological defect in twist-bend nematics. We present constructions for smecticlike textures containing screw and edge dislocations and also for vortexlike structures of double twist and Skyrmions. We analyze their local geometry and global structure, showing that their intersection with any surface is twice the Skyrmion number. Finally, we demonstrate how arbitrary knots and links can be created and describe them in terms of merons, giving a geometric perspective on the fractionalization of Skyrmions.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 3 February 2020
  • Revised 25 May 2020
  • Accepted 15 June 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.047801

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Polymers & Soft Matter

Authors & Affiliations

Jack Binysh1,2,*, Joseph Pollard1,*, and Gareth P. Alexander3,†

  • 1Mathematics Institute, Zeeman Building, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
  • 3Department of Physics and Centre for Complexity Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • G.P.Alexander@warwick.ac.uk

Article Text

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material

Click to Expand

References

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 125, Iss. 4 — 24 July 2020

Reuse & Permissions

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Reuse & Permissions

It is not necessary to obtain permission to reuse this article or its components as it is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI are maintained. Please note that some figures may have been included with permission from other third parties. It is your responsibility to obtain the proper permission from the rights holder directly for these figures.

×

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×