title: Defect-mediated emulsification in two dimensions.
abstract: We consider two-dimensional dispersions of droplets of isotropic phase in a liquid with an XY -like order parameter, tilt, nematic, and hexatic symmetries being included. Strong anchoring boundary conditions are assumed. Textures for a single droplet and a pair of droplets are calculated and a universal droplet-droplet pair potential is obtained. The interaction of dispersed droplets via the ordered phase is attractive at large distances and repulsive at short distances, which results in a well defined preferred separation for two droplets and topological stabilization of the emulsion. This interaction also drives self-assembly into chains. Preferred separations and energy barriers to coalescence are calculated, and the effects of thermal fluctuations and film thickness are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. papers.korolev@gmail.com
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Korolev
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Nelson