Surface-patterning generated half-skyrmion lattices in cholesteric blue phase thin films

ABSTRACT

Liquid crystalline blue phase (BP) II sandwiched between a pair of confining surfaces with specifically designed patterns is studied using numerical simulation based on the Landau-de Gennes phenomenological approach. Directed by the surface patterns, quasi-two-dimensional half-Skyrmion lattices form. Specifically, we observe the formation of square and triangular lattices of half-Skyrmions. These lattices of the swirling skyrmion textures are interspersed with singular −1/2 or −1 line defects, which also constitute quasi-two-dimensional regular lattices. Finally, this work is a contribution to designing and stabilising complex birefringent layer profiles of various symmetries.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Blue phases
• half-skyrmions
• surface patterning
• confinement

Acknowledgments

SZ acknowledges a stimulating discussion with Qi-Huo Wei on possible use of periodically faceted surfaces to stimulate the growth of monodomain BPs.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding is acknowledged from the ARRS (Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS) through grants P1–0099, J1–7300, L1–8135, and the USAF AFRL EOARD research project Nematic Colloidal Tilings as Tunable Soft Metamaterials (Grant No. FA9550–15–1–0418).