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.
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.