Observation of Spontaneous Helielectric Nematic Fluids: Electric Analogy to Helimagnets

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a new chiral ferroelectric liquid state called helieletric nematic, which exhibits helical polarization and shows giant dielectric and nonlinear optical responses, drawing an analogy to helimagnetic structures.

Contribution

It introduces the helieletric nematic as a novel ferroelectric liquid state stabilized by local ferroelectric and chiral interactions, with room-temperature stability and unique properties.

Findings

Discovery of helieletric nematic with helical polarization

Demonstration of giant dielectric responses

Observation of nonlinear optical effects

Abstract

About a century ago, Born proposed a possible matter of state, ferroelectric fluid, might exist if the dipole moment is strong enough. The experimental realisation of such states needs magnifying molecular polar nature to macroscopic scales in liquids. Here, we report on the discovery of a novel chiral liquid matter state, dubbed chiral ferronematic, stabilized by the local ferroelectric ordering coupled to the chiral helicity. It carries the polar vector rotating helically, corresponding to a helieletric structure, analogous to the magnetic counterpart of helimagnet. The state can be retained down to room-temperature and demonstrates gigantic dielectric and nonlinear optical responses. The novel matter state opens a new chapter for exploring the material space of the diverse ferroelectric liquids.