Real-space observation of internal ordering configurations of sessile liquid crystal micro-droplets

ABSTRACT

In this study, we report a simple method to determine the internal ordering configurations of sessile liquid crystal (LC) micro-droplets. We studied the ordering of LC micro-droplets under perpendicular, tangential and hybrid boundary conditions, using a polarised microscope equipped with a full-wave retardation plate. Four types of internal ordering configurations were found in sessile LC micro-droplets: two different types of dark cross configuration, a four-petal configuration and a three-petal configuration. These findings provide valuable information for further characterisation and analysis of the optical images of LC droplets and their corresponding configurations.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Liquid crystals
• sessile droplets
• internal configuration
• optical images
• retardation plate
• boundary condition

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant of the Korean Health Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (HI13C0891) and Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (NRF-2013R1A1A1A05008333).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant of the Korean Health Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea [grant number HI13C0891] and Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning [NRF-2013R1A1A1A05008333].