Chiral symmetry-breaking dynamics in the phase transformation of nematic droplets

TL;DR

This paper uses dynamic simulations to reveal chiral symmetry-breaking during the isotropic-nematic phase transition in liquid crystal droplets, highlighting the importance of material parameters over simplified elastic models.

Contribution

It demonstrates that realistic material parameters induce chiral symmetry-breaking dynamics not captured by common elastic constant approximations.

Findings

Chiral symmetry-breaking occurs in simulations with realistic parameters.

The process involves defect loop motion and bulk twisting during phase relaxation.

Simplified elastic models do not predict this chiral behavior.

Abstract

Dynamic simulations of the isotropic-nematic phase transformation of liquid crystal droplets under homeotropic anchoring are found to predict chiral symmetry-breaking dynamics. These observations occur when using material parameters for pentyl-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) but not under the single elastic constant approximation of this material, frequently used in simulation. The twisting dynamic process occurs during the relaxation of the domain from an unstable radial texture to a stable uniform texture and involves simultaneous defect loop motion and twisting of the bulk nematic texture.