Spontaneous symmetry breaking in polar fluids

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in polar fluids

11 July 2024 | Calum J. Gibb, Jordan Hobbs, Diana I. Nikolova, Thomas Raistrick, Stuart R. Berrow, Alenka Mertelj, Natan Osterman, Nerea Sebastián, Helen F. Gleeson & Richard J. Mandle
This article explores spontaneous symmetry breaking and emergent polar order in polar fluids, leading to the discovery of two new polar liquid crystal phases: SmC_P^H and SmA_AF. These phases exhibit lamellar structures with inherent polar ordering. The SmC_P^H phase has a helical structure with polar order, while the SmA_AF phase is anti-ferroelectric with molecules aligned orthogonally to the layer normal. The study also identifies room temperature ferroelectric nematic (N_F) and SmC_P^H phases through binary mixtures with a standard N_F compound. The new phases are considered electrical analogues of topological structures in magnetic systems. Spontaneous symmetry breaking is significant in various scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science. Liquid crystals (LCs) are a subset of materials that can exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking through helical superstructures or to escape local polar order. LCs are crucial in LCD technology, and new LC phases are highly significant. Polar nematic phases were previously overlooked but have recently gained attention due to their potential applications in display technology and other fields. The study reports a family of rod-like LC materials with large electric dipole moments. Some exhibit a polar SmC phase with a helical superstructure, while others show an anti-ferroelectric SmA phase. Binary mixtures of these materials allow operation at and below ambient temperatures. The SmC_P^H phase is characterized by a helical structure and polar order, while the SmA_AF phase is anti-ferroelectric. The study also identifies a new phase, SmA_PX, which exhibits polar order and has a small enthalpy change. The research uses various techniques, including polarized optical microscopy, X-ray scattering, and molecular dynamics simulations, to characterize the phases. The findings suggest that spontaneous symmetry breaking and polar order are fundamental to understanding new liquid crystal phases and their potential applications in technology. The study highlights the importance of exploring new materials and phases for future applications in display technology and other fields.This article explores spontaneous symmetry breaking and emergent polar order in polar fluids, leading to the discovery of two new polar liquid crystal phases: SmC_P^H and SmA_AF. These phases exhibit lamellar structures with inherent polar ordering. The SmC_P^H phase has a helical structure with polar order, while the SmA_AF phase is anti-ferroelectric with molecules aligned orthogonally to the layer normal. The study also identifies room temperature ferroelectric nematic (N_F) and SmC_P^H phases through binary mixtures with a standard N_F compound. The new phases are considered electrical analogues of topological structures in magnetic systems. Spontaneous symmetry breaking is significant in various scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science. Liquid crystals (LCs) are a subset of materials that can exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking through helical superstructures or to escape local polar order. LCs are crucial in LCD technology, and new LC phases are highly significant. Polar nematic phases were previously overlooked but have recently gained attention due to their potential applications in display technology and other fields. The study reports a family of rod-like LC materials with large electric dipole moments. Some exhibit a polar SmC phase with a helical superstructure, while others show an anti-ferroelectric SmA phase. Binary mixtures of these materials allow operation at and below ambient temperatures. The SmC_P^H phase is characterized by a helical structure and polar order, while the SmA_AF phase is anti-ferroelectric. The study also identifies a new phase, SmA_PX, which exhibits polar order and has a small enthalpy change. The research uses various techniques, including polarized optical microscopy, X-ray scattering, and molecular dynamics simulations, to characterize the phases. The findings suggest that spontaneous symmetry breaking and polar order are fundamental to understanding new liquid crystal phases and their potential applications in technology. The study highlights the importance of exploring new materials and phases for future applications in display technology and other fields.
Reach us at info@futurestudyspace.com