Insensitivity of active nematic dynamics to topological constraints

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in active nematic systems, the dynamics are largely unaffected by topological constraints due to active flow screening, contrasting with equilibrium liquid crystals.

Contribution

It reveals that active flows screen topological effects, leading to similar behaviors regardless of boundary-imposed topological charges in active nematics.

Findings

Active flow screens topological constraints in active nematics.

Three distinct dynamic states identified: minimal, circulating defect, turbulent.

Behavior remains consistent across different topological boundary conditions.

Abstract

Confining a liquid crystal imposes topological constraints on the orientational order, allowing global control of equilibrium systems by manipulation of anchoring boundary conditions. In this article, we investigate whether a similar strategy allows control of active liquid crystals. We study a hydrodynamic model of an extensile active nematic confined in containers, with different anchoring conditions that impose different net topological charges on the nematic director. We show that the dynamics are controlled by a complex interplay between topological defects in the director and their induced vortical flows. We find three distinct states by varying confinement and the strength of the active stress: a topologically minimal state, a circulating defect state, and a turbulent state. In contrast to equilibrium systems, we find that anchoring conditions are screened by the active flow, preserving system behavior across different topological constraints. This observation identifies a fundamental difference between active and equilibrium materials.