We show that colloidal superstructures could be assembled in mixtures of large and small colloidal particles dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal. Using elastic interaction of small colloidal particles with the disclination lines we succeed to demonstrate how one can decorate with small particles a topological matrix of defect rings and loops formed by an array of large colloidal particles. Our simulations show that this novel concept of colloidal self-assembly in nematics could be extended down to the nanoscale particles.
COBISS.SI-ID: 21792551
We present an experimental analysis of the topological properties of a nematic liquid crystal in the vicinity of small cylindrical objects (micro-rods), dispersed in the nematic liquid crystal 5CB (4-n-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl). Depending on the type of liquid crystal anchoring at the surfaces of micro-rods, we have observed two types of the ymmetry of the surrounding liquid crystal molecules: dipolar and quadrupolar. Using the manipulation of micro-rods with laser tweezers, the strength and separation dependencies of various pair interaction potentials have been determined.
COBISS.SI-ID: 22189863