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Condensed Matter > Statistical Mechanics
Title: Coarsening in Bent-core Liquid Crystals: Intermediate Splay Bend State en route to the Twist Bend Phase
(Submitted on 6 May 2024 (v1), last revised 9 May 2024 (this version, v2))
Abstract: We use molecular dynamics simulations to study coarsening dynamics in achiral banana-shaped bent-core liquid crystals following a quench from the high concentration polar smectic (SmX) phase to lower concentrations that favor the exotic twist-bend (TB) phase. Our novel result is the identification of an intermediate splay-bend state emerging prior to the eventual TB phase. The latter coarsens via the annihilation of {\it beta lines} which are analogous to string defects in nematic liquid crystals. Our findings are relevant for a large class of chiral systems assembled from achiral entities.
Submission history
From: Nishant Birdi [view email][v1] Mon, 6 May 2024 06:29:32 GMT (2538kb,D)
[v2] Thu, 9 May 2024 07:01:40 GMT (2538kb,D)
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