title: Smectic Layer Origami via Preprogrammed Photoalignment.
abstract: Hierarchical architecture is of vital importance in soft materials. Focal conic domains (FCDs) of smectic liquid crystals, characterized by an ordered lamellar structure, attract intensive attention. Simultaneously tailoring the geometry and clustering characteristics of FCDs remains a challenge. Here, the 3D smectic layer origami via a 2D preprogrammed photoalignment film is accomplished. Full control of hierarchical superstructures is demonstrated, including the domain size, shape, and orientation, and the lattice symmetry of fragmented toric FCDs. The unique symmetry breaking of resultant superstructures combined with the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystals induces an intriguing polarization-dependent diffraction. This work broadens the scientific understanding of self-assembled soft materials and may inspire new opportunities for advanced functional materials and devices.
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Ling-Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Jie
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
authors.forename: Ze-Qun
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Engineering, School of Information Science and Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China.
authors.forename: Lu-Jian
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Materials Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
authors.forename: Li-Feng
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.affiliation: National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures and College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Qing
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Lu
keywords: origami; photoalignment; smectic focal conic domains; superstructures