Magnetic field-induced vortex triplet and vortex lattice in a liquid crystal cell

 Enrique Calisto, Marcel G. Clerc, and Valeska Zambra

Phys. Rev. Research 2, 042026(R) – Published 10 November 2020

Abstract

Vortices are particle-type solutions with topological charges that can steer the dynamics in various physical systems. By the application of electromagnetic fields onto a homeotropic nematic liquid crystal cell, we are able to induce a vortex triplet that remains stable and trapped at a given location. For a low frequency of the driven voltage, we observe that the vortex triplet is unstable and gives rise to the appearance of a topological lattice. Based on an amplitude equation valid close to reorientational instability, it allows us to reveal the origin of the vortex triplet and vortex lattice. Numerical simulations show a quite fair agreement with theoretical findings and experimental observations.

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