Dynamical Heterogeneities and Cooperative Motion in Smectic Liquid Crystals
Abstract
Using simulations of hard rods in smectic-A states, we find non-gaussian diffusion and heterogeneous dynamics due to the equilibrium periodic smectic density profiles, which give rise to permanent barriers for layer-to-layer diffusion. This relaxation behavior is surprisingly similar to that of non-equilibrium supercooled liquids, although there the particles are trapped in transient (instead of permanent) cages. Interestingly, we also find stringlike clusters of up to 10 inter-layer rods exhibiting dynamic cooperativity in this equilibrium state.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- June 2009
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.0906.3093
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0906.3093
- Bibcode:
- 2009arXiv0906.3093P
- Keywords:
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- Condensed Matter - Soft Condensed Matter
- E-Print:
- 10 pages, 4 figures