Emergent elastic fields induced by topological phase transitions: Impact of molecular chirality and steric anisotropy

DOI Web Site 59 References
  • Kyohei Takae
    Department of Fundamental Engineering, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
  • Takeshi Kawasaki
    Department of Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan

Abstract

<jats:title>Significance</jats:title><jats:p>Chirality, the property of an object that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image, plays an essential role in condensed matter, such as magnetic, electronic, and liquid crystal systems. Topological phases emerge in such chiral materials, wherein helical and vortex-like structures—called skyrmions—are observed. However, the role of elastic fields in these topological phases remains unexplored. Here, we construct a molecular model of two-dimensional crystals incorporating steric anisotropy and chiral interactions to elucidate this problem. The coupling between the elastic fields and phase transitions between uniform, helical, and half-skyrmion phases can be utilized to switch these topological phases by external forces. Our results provide a fundamental physical principle for designing topological materials using chiral molecular and colloidal crystals.</jats:p>

Journal

References(59)*help

See more

Related Projects

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top