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arXiv · 1605.07004

Exploring the cylindrical photo-bending shape in polydomain nematic glass

Chen Xuan·Changwei Xu·Yongzhong Huo
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Abstract

This paper explores different photo-bending shapes in polydomain nematic glass. The motivation is to explain the phenomenon in experiment [1] under polarized light in which a nematic film curls into an circular arc, like part of a cylindrical surface. Polarized light triggers photo-isomerization and therefore makes liquid crystals (LCs) contract along their directors. We apply the Sachs limit to homogenize the deformation of polydomain LC glass. Photo-strain can be either contraction or expansion through the material. Bending shapes can be anticlastic, bowl-shaped and cylindrical affected by Poisson ratio and illumination intensity. An explanation for the cylindrical bend and ways to observe other shapes are given in a parameter plane.

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Chen Xuan, Changwei Xu, Yongzhong Huo. 2016-05-17. Exploring the cylindrical photo-bending shape in polydomain nematic glass. https://arxiv.org/abs/1605.07004

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