Por Apala Majumdar (University of Strathclyde, UK).
Nematic liquid crystals are classical examples of partially ordered soft materials that combine fluidity with long-range orientational order. Nematics are directional materials and their direction-dependent response to light and external fields make them the working material of choice for a variety of electro-optic applications. We review the powerful continuum Landau-de Gennes theory for nematic liquid crystals and mathematically model confined nematics in prototype situations. Notably, we discuss new results on the defect sets and multistability of nematics in regular two-dimensional polygons, illustrating the effects of geometry, material properties and temperature on the solution landscape. We investigate saddle-point solutions that connect distinct stable equilibria and novel transition pathways mediated by high-index saddle points. These detailed investigations of nematic solution landscapes on regular polygons can be generalised to three-dimensional scenarios and offer novel prospects for tailored multistability and switching mechanisms for applications.
Or iPhone one-tap: 308804188,89701448504# or 308810988,89701448504#
Or Telephone:
Dial: +351 308 804 188 (Portugal Toll) or +351 308 810 988
(Portugal Toll)
Meeting ID: 897 0144 8504
International numbers available
Or a H.323/SIP room system:
H.323: 162.255.37.11 (US West) or 162.255.36.11 (US East)
Meeting ID: 897 0144 8504