Double Splay Nematic Order in Confined Polar Fluids
arXiv:2411.12336 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.238101
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate that when a ferroelectric nematic is confined between two glass plates coated with ionic polymers, a modulated phase emerges in a narrow temperature range between the nematic and ferroelectric nematic phases. This modulated phase emerges from the nematic phase in a continuous manner and then transforms into the ferroelectric nematic phase via a first-order transition upon cooling. Using optical microscopy, we provide compelling evidence that this modulated phase corresponds to the theoretically predicted double splay nematic phase. In this phase, splay deformations alternate in two orthogonal directions oriented at 45° to the substrate surfaces, creating a modulation wavelength that is twice the thickness of the cell. Our experiments with different ionic coatings reveal that only polymeric cationic coatings effectively promote the formation of this phase, highlighting the critical role of electrical screening. These findings not only confirm the existence of the double splay nematic phase but also provide insights into the distinctive topological defects of this phase in confined geometries.
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Cited by in corpus (4)
- Twist, splay, and uniform domains in ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals
- Spontaneous Cholesteric Phase in Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid Crystals: Preference for Integer Number of Pitches
- Helix alignment, chevrons, and edge dislocations in twist-bend ferroelectric nematics
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