Continuous generation of topological defects in a passively driven nematic liquid crystal

Maruša Mur, Žiga Kos, Miha Ravnik and Igor Muševič ()
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Maruša Mur: J. Stefan Institute
Žiga Kos: J. Stefan Institute
Miha Ravnik: J. Stefan Institute
Igor Muševič: J. Stefan Institute

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Synthetic active matter is emerging as the prime route for the realisation of biological mechanisms such as locomotion, active mixing, and self-organisation in soft materials. In particular, passive nematic complex fluids are known to form out-of-equilibrium states with topological defects, but their locomotion, activation and experimental realization has been developed and understood to only a limited extent. Here, we report that the concentration-driven flow of small molecules triggers turbulent flow in the thin film of a nematic liquid crystal that continuously generates pairs of topological defects with an integer topological charge. The diffusion results in the formation of counter-rotating vortex rolls in the liquid crystal, which above a velocity threshold transform into a turbulent flow with continuous generation and annihilation of the defect pairs. The pairs of defects are created by the self-amplifying splay instability between the vortices, until a pair of oppositely charged defects is formed.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34384-5

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