Colloidal aggregation in a nematic liquid crystal: topological arrest of particles by a single-stroke disclination line.
We numerically study many-body interactions among colloidal particles suspended in a nematic liquid crystal, using a fluid particle dynamics method, which properly incorporates dynamical coupling among particles, nematic orientation, and flow field. Based on simulation results, we propose a new type of interparticle interaction in addition to well-known quadrupolar interaction for particles accompanying Saturn-ring defects. This interaction is mediated by the defect of the nematic phase: upon nematic ordering, a closed disclination loop binds more than two particles to form a sheetlike dynamically arrested structure. The interaction depends upon the topology of a disclination loop binding particles, which is determined by aggregation history.
Araki
Takeaki
T
Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
Tanaka
Hajime
H
D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D050866:Liquid Crystals; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014783:Viscosity
D003102:Colloids