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
![](/cms/asset/014ba1b6-a18a-48d2-b532-c6038797a146/tlct_a_1512168_uf0001_oc.jpg)
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.