Interaction and self-organization of inclusions in two-dimensional free-standing smectic films

ABSTRACT

In this article we review interactions and collective behavior of inclusions in free-standing smectic films with in-plane orientational ordering. The inclusions interact on large distances and can form various self-organised structures. Topological defects of the director field play a key role in self-organization. Various types of interaction are realized, including dipolar, quadrupolar and interactions of mixed type. We describe different approaches which can be used to modify the interaction of inclusions. Effects of polarity and chirality of the host medium, behavior in external field are discussed. We describe open problems and perspective directions of investigations.

KEYWORDS:

• Thin films
• self-organization
• topological defects

Acknowledgements

We thank Igor Muševič and Ralf Stannarius for providing the originals of some of the figures.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by Russian Foundation for Basic Research [grant number 16-29-11702].