Confocal microscopy observations of colloidal caterpillars

Abstract

Confocalmicroscopymeasurementsarecarriedouttoinvestigatethelocationofsurface-modified particles in electro-hydrodynamic convection (EHC) of a nematic liquid crystal. For particles with radial anchoring, we observe the elastic repulsive interaction from the substrate due to the mismatch of the director field at the substrate and particle surface. On the other hand, boojum-colloids can rotate at the outermost of the EHC roll. Moreover, we will report the result on a caterpillar-like motion of the colloidal chains of elastic dipoles.