On the molecular origins of the ferroelectric splay nematic phase

Mandle, Richard J.; Sebastián, Nerea; Martínez-Perdiguero, Josu; Mertelj, Alenka

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-25231-0

Cited by 96 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…MD simulations showed that in the absence of the field the polarization is parallel to the average orientation of the molecules. 20 However, the polar order of molecular axis measured by = 〈 ( )〉 where is the angle between the director and the molecular axis is larger than the polar order calculated for the direction of the dipoles. That the two order parameters are different is expected because the molecular long axis and the dipole are not parallel (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…. RM734 has a very large dipole moment (11.4 D) as calculated at the M06HF-D3/aug-cc-pVTZ level of DFT, at an angle of 18.3° with respect to the molecular axis and is therefore mainly longitudinal 20. Fig.1.b…”

mentioning

confidence: 92%

“…shows the molecular dipole moment (red arrow) and the polarizability tensor (green arrows and ellipsoid) as calculated at the M06HF-D3/aug-cc-pVTZ level of DFT. 20 Whereas the molecular dipole moment forms an angle with respect to the molecular axis, the long axis of polarizability tensor is mostly defined by it.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrooptics of mm-scale polar domains in the ferroelectric nematic phase

et al. 2021

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The recent discovery of the ferroelectric nematic phase has opened the door to experimental investigation of one of the most searched liquid crystal phases in decades, with high expectations for future applications. However, at this moment, there are more questions than answers. In this work, we examine the formation and structure of large polar nematic domains of the ferroelectric nematic material RM734 in planar liquid crystals cells with different aligning agents and specifications. We observe that confining surfaces have a strong influence over the formation of different types of domains, resulting in various twisted structures of the nematic director. For those cells predominantly showing mm-scale domains, we investigate the optical and second harmonic generation switching behaviour under applications of electric fields with a special focus on inplane fields perpendicular to the confinement media rubbing direction. In order to characterise the underlying structure, the polar optical switching behaviour is reproduced using a simplified model together with Berreman calculations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

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confidence: 92%

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Electrooptics of mm-scale polar domains in the ferroelectric nematic phase

et al. 2021

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“…In 2017 two materials were reported -RM734 5 and DIO 6 -that are now understood to have polar nematic order and are ferroelectric, over a century after Born's conjecture. [7][8][9] This so-called ferroelectric nematic (NF) phase displays a slew of unique properties: ferroelectric properties with huge spontaneous polarisation, 8,10 giant dielectric anisotropy, polar domains, 10 strong non-linear optical response, 11 unique electrooptic responses, 12 and thermal gradient-induced circular motion of particles, 13 to name a few. The remarkable properties of the NF phase, coupled with fluidity and relative ease of alignment 14 , will ensure this field flourishes in the decades to come.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Order of Liquids: Polar Order in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Mandle

2022

Preprint

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Given the widespread adoption of display technology based on nematic liquid crystals, the discovery of new nematic phases at thermodynamic equilibrium, although extremely rare, generates much excitement. The remarkable discovery polar order and giant ferroelectric polarisation in a nematic fluid is a watershed moment in soft matter research, and is one of the most important discoveries in the 150-year history of liquid crystals. After a brief introduction to this emerging field, we present the current state-of-the art in terms of understanding the molecular origins of this phase, before exploring how molecular structure underpins the incidence of this phase, as well as exploring future directions.

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“…The type and place of lateral substitution in molecular core play a crucial role [59][60] as the -electron density of substituted aromatic rings, which is strongly influenced by the character of atom used for substitution, affects the intermolecular interactions (packing) in smectic layers of ferroelectric SmC* phase due to donor-acceptor coupling. However, in the cases, when the lateral substitution is placed far from a chiral centre, the direct influence upon the chiral centre is not expected.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lateral Substitution as Effective Tool for Tuning Self-Organising Behaviour of Chiral Mesogens

Hamplová¹,

Mironov²,

Cigl³

et al. 2021

Liq. Cryst. and their Appl.

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Thermotropic liquid crystals belong to an exciting class of self-organising materials, which are broadly utilised now, and, definitely will find advanced applications in future. The combination of fluidity and ordering together with specific electro-optical properties assures their extraordinary practical usefulness. However, the molecular structure -mesomorphic property relationship is still far to be well-established and understood despite more than a hundred years of their existence and intensive study. The design, synthesis and investigation of new liquid crystalline materials with various molecular structure type (rod-like, bend-shaped, disc-like, etc.) and weight (low molar mass, macromolecular) still remain an actual and highlighted task. In this mini-review we discuss relatively broad sub-class of chiral calamitic liquid crystalline materials derived from the lactic acid and give some specific examples on effective tuning of their mesomorphic and electro-optical behaviour using various types of lateral substitution of molecular core. Fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine atoms, as well as bulky methyl and methoxy groups are used as lateral substituents on the phenyl ring far from the chiral lactate group. The materials discussed in this work can be potentially used as smart dopants for design of advanced multicomponent mixtures targeted for future applications in opto-electronics and photonics.

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On the molecular origins of the ferroelectric splay nematic phase

Cited by 96 publications

References 63 publications

Electrooptics of mm-scale polar domains in the ferroelectric nematic phase

Electrooptics of mm-scale polar domains in the ferroelectric nematic phase

A New Order of Liquids: Polar Order in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Lateral Substitution as Effective Tool for Tuning Self-Organising Behaviour of Chiral Mesogens

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