Abstract
We analyze and predict the behavior of a chirally imprinted elastomer under a mechanical strain and an
electric field, applied along the helical axis. As the strain and/or field increases, the system is deformed from
a conical or transverse imprinted state towards an ultimately nematic one. At a critical strain and/or field there
is a first-order transition to a low imprinting efficiency state. This transition is accompanied by a discontinuous
global rotation of the director toward the axis of the imprinted helix, measured by the cone angle, θ. We show
that the threshold electric field required for switching this transition can be conveniently low, provided an
appropriate prestrain is imposed. We suggest that these properties may give rise to a “chiral pump.”
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 021708 |
Journal | Physical Review E |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2006 |