Li Chao-Yi, Tang Xing-Zhou, Yu Xiao, Atzin Noe, Song Zhen-Peng, Chen Chu-Qiao, Abbott Nicholas L, Li Bing-Xiang, de Pablo Juan J, Lu Yan-Qing
National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Sep 3;121(36):e2405168121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2405168121. Epub 2024 Aug 28.
Multidimensional solitons are prevalent in numerous research fields. In orientationally ordered soft matter system, three-dimensional director solitons exemplify the localized distortion of molecular orientation. However, their precise manipulation remains challenging due to unpredictable and uncontrolled generation. Here, we utilize preimposed programmable photopatterning in nematics to control the kinetics of director solitons. This enables both unidirectional and bidirectional generation at specific locations and times, confinement within micron-scaled patterns of diverse shapes, and directed propagation along predefined trajectories. A focused dynamical model provides insight into the origins of these solitons and aligns closely with experimental observations, underscoring the pivotal role of anchoring conditions in soliton manipulation. Our findings pave the way for diverse fundamental research avenues and promising applications, including microcargo transportation and optical information processing.
多维孤子在众多研究领域中普遍存在。在取向有序的软物质系统中，三维指向矢孤子体现了分子取向的局部畸变。然而，由于其产生具有不可预测性和不可控性，对它们进行精确操控仍然具有挑战性。在此，我们利用向列相液晶中预先施加的可编程光图案化来控制指向矢孤子的动力学。这使得在特定位置和时间实现单向和双向产生、限制在各种形状的微米级图案内以及沿预定轨迹的定向传播成为可能。一个聚焦的动力学模型揭示了这些孤子的起源，并与实验观测结果紧密吻合，强调了锚定条件在孤子操控中的关键作用。我们的研究结果为包括微载体运输和光学信息处理在内的各种基础研究途径和有前景的应用铺平了道路。
