title: Asymmetric counterpropagating fronts without flow.
abstract: Out-of-equilibrium systems exhibit domain walls between different states. These walls, depending on the type of connected states, can display rich spatiotemporal dynamics. In this Rapid Communication, we investigate the asymmetrical counterpropagation of fronts in an in-plane-switching cell filled with a nematic liquid crystal. Experimentally, we characterize the different front shapes and propagation speeds. These fronts present dissimilar elastic deformations that are responsible for their asymmetric speeds. Theoretically, using a phenomenological model, we describe the observed dynamics with fair agreement.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 487-3, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Andrade-Silva
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 487-3, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Clerc
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Casilla 487-3, Santiago, Chile.|Université Lille 1, Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, Atomes et Molécules, CNRS UMR8523. 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Odent