Polar-Twisted, Nano-Modulated Nematics: Form Chirality and Physical Properties
Recently, two new polymorphs have been added to the nematic class: the polar-twisted nematic (N<sub>PT</sub>) in 2016 and the ferroelectric nematic (N<sub>F</sub>) in 2020. Comprised of achiral molecules, both exhibit local polar ordering and adopt modulated structures, right...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Liquids |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8015/4/4/43 |
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| Summary: | Recently, two new polymorphs have been added to the nematic class: the polar-twisted nematic (N<sub>PT</sub>) in 2016 and the ferroelectric nematic (N<sub>F</sub>) in 2020. Comprised of achiral molecules, both exhibit local polar ordering and adopt modulated structures, right- and left-handed helical organizations—form chirality—albeit on vastly different dimensional scales; modulations have a ~10 nanometer pitch in the N<sub>PT</sub> and ~500 nm in the N<sub>F</sub>. Here, we focus on the structure and symmetries of the N<sub>PT</sub> phase and the ensuing physical properties. Based on an array of order parameters that fully describe the molecular ordering and the nano-modulations thereof, we present a consistent formulation of the dielectric, optical, surface anchoring, and elasticity properties of the N<sub>PT</sub> materials. We show that these properties are distinctly different from those associated with an elastically modulated, locally uniaxial, nematic. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-8015 |