support: primary/partial nsf mrsec dmr-11-20901
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Post Arrays as Topological Templates Arjun G. Yodh , University of Pennsylvania, DMR 1120901. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Support: Primary/Partial NSF MRSEC DMR-11-20901
Is it true that only a princess can detect a pea placed under many layers of mattresses? No! Smectic liquid crystals with nanometer scale layers can feel the effects of a patterned boundary 5-10 times deeper into the sample than the size of the “peas.” Instead of bruising the princess, this long range effect can be used to control and form three-dimensional, exquisitely ordered materials.
Post Arrays as Topological TemplatesArjun G. Yodh, University of Pennsylvania, DMR 1120901
December 2011
Layers of smectic liquid crystal filling up a “bed of nails”
The lattice of dimples reflects the underlying lattice of posts in both symmetry and dimension, demonstrating control of these materials for optical applications