Lakey, Christopher Charles (2020) Inclusions in smectics. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Continuum models describe the interactions between inclusions in smectic liquid crystals. We use such models to describe two systems where objects disrupt the layer-spacing in smectics.

Bilayer membranes composed of a mixture of saturated and unsaturated phospholipids can phase-separate, forming liquid-ordered domains rich in saturated lipids. Recent experiments have shown that lamellar stacks of such membranes form columns of liquid ordered domains, aligned across many neighbouring lamellae. Continuum models suggest that such a columnar arrangement is not energetically favourable. Instead, domains would be expected to be laterally offset from those in vertically neighbouring layers, to minimise the cost of their membrane deformation. We provide an explanation for this apparent contradiction by introducing interfacial energies between the phases, for which we provide bounds.

The presence of embedded particles, of diameter comparable to the smectic layer spacing, results in a distortion of the smectic ordering. We consider a system of self-propelling colloidal particles (“swimmers”) in a smectic liquid crystal. These swimmers are confined between the smectic layers, but interact with swimmers in other layers via the distortions that they induce in the smectic ordering. We find that the motion of these swimmers is then controlled by a combination of their own motility and the forces that they experience from the smectic mediated interaction potential, giving rise to rich dynamical behaviour.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics Q Science > QH Natural history
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Liquid crystals -- Mathematical models, Bilayer lipid membranes -- Mathematical models
Official Date:	July 2020
Dates:	Date Event July 2020 UNSPECIFIED
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Physics
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Turner, Matthew S.
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	viii, 95 leaves : illustrations (chiefly colour)
Language:	eng

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