Stripe Systems with Competing Interactions on Quasi-One Dimensional Periodic Substrates

TL;DR

This study explores how a quasi-one-dimensional periodic substrate influences the self-assembly and ordering of particles with competing long-range repulsion and short-range attraction, revealing diverse phases and alignment behaviors.

Contribution

It demonstrates that a simple periodic substrate can induce a variety of ordered phases in systems with competing interactions, offering a new route for self-assembly.

Findings

Multiple distinct ordered phases identified, including modulated stripes and clump phases.

Stripe orientations can align perpendicular to substrate troughs.

Substrate strength and particle-to-minima ratio control phase transitions.

Abstract

We numerically examine the two-dimensional ordering of a stripe forming system of particles with competing long-range repulsion and short-range attraction in the presence of a quasi-one-dimensional corrugated substrate. As a function of increasing substrate strength or the ratio of the number of particles to the number of substrate minima we show that a remarkable variety of distinct orderings can be realized, including modulated stripes, prolate clump phases, two dimensional ordered kink structures, crystalline void phases, and smectic phases. Additionally in some cases the stripes align perpendicular to the substrate troughs. Our results suggest that a new route to self assembly for systems with competing interactions can be achieved through the addition of a simple periodic modulated substrate.