1b11 Expansion of inter-particle distance in colloidal alignment using defect line in nematic liquid crystal

Abstract

When hydrophobized colloidal particles are introduced into nematic liquid crystals (NLCs), topological defects are induced in the vicinity of the particle. Consequently, elastic attractive or repulsive forces act between particles, and one- or two-dimensional colloidal structures are formed. In this study, we demonstrate an expansion of inter-particle distance of a colloidal chain-like structure in nematic liquid crystals. By applying an in-plane electric field in the direction perpendicular to the colloidal chain-like structure, a line defect is induced on the structure. Consequently, we observe the expansion of the structure by up to 33%.