Nematic liquid crystals in contact with geometrically and chemically patterned substrates: A Monte Carlo Study

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to explore how geometrically and chemically patterned substrates influence nematic liquid crystals, revealing deviations from continuum models and effects of phase shifts on director structures.

Contribution

First Monte Carlo study examining combined geometric and chemical pattern effects on nematic liquid crystals, highlighting deviations from continuum predictions.

Findings

Significant deviations from continuum phase diagrams.

Onset of biaxiality at larger tilt angles.

Phase shifts between patterns affect director structures.

Abstract

Nematic liquid crystals confined to geometrically as well as chemically patterned substrate on one end and a flat substrate with strong anchoring on the other is studied using non-Boltzmann Monte Carlo methods. We observe significant deviations from the continuum-based predictions of the phase diagram which was studied as a function of tilt angle at the top substrate and thickness of the cell. Onset of biaxiality at larger tilt angles at the top substrate is observed. A phase shift introduced between the geometrical and chemical pattern has significant effect on the director structures in the system.