Inclusions with finite surface anchoring energies in smectic C and chiral smectic C* free-standing films

ABSTRACT

Director distributions around inclusions in smectic C (SmC) and chiral (SmC*) free standing films with finite surface anchoring are approximately analytically determined using equivalent disclination models with (+1)-wedge disclination in the inclusion center, (−1)-disclination outside the inclusion and image disclinations inside the inclusion. Strength of image disclinations depends on anchoring energies. The position of (−1)-disclination with respect to the inclusion is determined by the product of anchoring energies and inclusion radius. At the inclusion surface (−1)-disclination splits into two (−1/2)-disclinations. In the SmC* the director configuration on the inclusion surface is rearranged in order to eliminate the inclusion surface charge.

KEYWORDS:

• Smectic C and C*
• free standing films
• inclusions
• disclinations

Funding

This work was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (projects 13–14133S and 15–02843S).