Computing with non-orientable defects: nematics, smectics and natural patterns

DOI10.1016/J.PHYSD.2020.132828zbMATH Open1485.76011arXiv2001.11534OpenAlexW3115790363MaRDI QIDQ2115711FDOQ2115711

Authors: Chiqun Zhang, Amit Acharya, Alan C. Newell, Shankar C. Venkataramani 

Publication date: 21 March 2022

Published in: Physica D (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Defects are a ubiquitous feature of ordered media. They have certain universal features, independent of the underlying physical system, reflecting their topological origins. While the topological properties of defects are robust, they appear as `unphysical' singularities, with non-integrable energy densities in coarse-grained macroscopic models. We develop a principled approach for enriching coarse-grained theories with enough of the `micro-physics' to obtain thermodynamically consistent, well-set models, that allow for the investigations of dynamics and interactions of defects in extended systems. We also develop associated numerical methods that are applicable to computing energy driven behaviors of defects across the amorphous-soft-crystalline materials spectrum. Our methods can handle order parameters that have a head-tail symmetry, i.e. director fields, in systems with a continuous translation symmetry, as in nematic liquid crystals, and in systems where the translation symmetry is broken, as in smectics and convection patterns. We illustrate our methods with explicit computations.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2001.11534

Recommendations

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zbMATH Keywords

finite element methodpattern formationSwift-Hohenberg equationliquid crystalnon-orientabilitymaterial defect

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Liquid crystals (76A15) Finite element methods applied to problems in fluid mechanics (76M10) Statistical mechanics of random media, disordered materials (including liquid crystals and spin glasses) (82D30)

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Cited In (6)

• Defects in active nematics - algorithms for identification and tracking
• An SBV relaxation of the cross-Newell energy for modeling stripe patterns and their defects
• The universal behavior of modulated stripe patterns
• Vector field models for nematic disclinations
• Analysing transitions from a Turing instability to large periodic patterns in a reaction-diffusion system
• COMPACTNESS AND STRUCTURE OF ZERO-STATES FOR UNORIENTED AVILES–GIGA FUNCTIONALS

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