Journal
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
Volume 109, Issue 1, Pages -Publisher
AMER PHYSICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.017801
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Funding
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [ER 467/2-2]
- Tokyo Tech G-COE Program
- Direct For Mathematical & Physical Scien
- Division Of Materials Research [0964765] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Geometric frustration gives rise to new fundamental phenomena and is known to yield the formation of exotic states of matter, such as incommensurate crystals, modulated liquid-crystalline phases, and phases stabilized by defects. In this Letter, we present a detailed study of polar structure of freely suspended fluid filaments in a polarization modulated liquid-crystal phase. We show that a periodic pattern of polarization-splay stripes separated by defect boundaries and decorating smectic layers can stabilize the structure of fluid fibers against the Rayleigh-Plateau instability. The instability is suppressed by the resistance of the defect structure to a radial compression of the cylindrical fibers. Our results provide direct experimental observation of a link between the stability of the liquid fibers, internal polar order, and geometrical constraints. They open a new perspective on a wide range of fluid polar fiber materials.
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