Localized dissipative vortices in chiral nematic liquid crystal cells

Solitary waves and solitons have played a fundamental role in understanding nonlinear phenomena and emergent particle-type behaviors in out-of-equilibrium systems. This type of dynamic phenomenon has not only been essential to comprehend the behavior of fundamental particles but also to establish the possibilities of novel technologies based on optical elements. Dissipative vortices are topological particle-type solutions in vectorial field out-of-equilibrium systems. These states can be extended or localized in space. The topological properties of these states determine the existence, stability properties, and dynamic evolution. Under homeotropic anchoring, chiral nematic liquid crystal cells are a natural habitat for localized vortices or spherulites. However, chiral bubble creation and destruction mechanisms and their respective bifurcation diagrams are unknown. We propose a minimal two-dimensional model based on experimental observations of a temperature-triggered first-order winding/unwinding transition of a cholesteric liquid crystal cell and symmetry arguments, and investigate this system experimentally. This model reveals the main ingredients for the emergence of chiral bubbles and their instabilities. Experimental observations have a quite fair agreement with the theoretical results. Our findings are a starting point to understand the existence, stability, and dynamical behaviors of dissipative particles with topological properties.

Automated summary

Solitary waves and solitons are crucial in understanding nonlinear phenomena and emergent particle-type behaviors in out-of-equilibrium systems. This study investigates the localized vortices or spherulites in chiral nematic liquid crystal cells through experimental observations and symmetry arguments. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions, providing a starting point for understanding the existence, stability, and dynamical behaviors of dissipative particles with topological properties.