Open AccessObservation of a photo wetting effect on anisotropic liquid-solid interfaces
Author(s) -
Guillaume Goubert,
Tigran Galstian
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.009637
Subject(s) - liquid crystal , wetting , capillary action , materials science , optics , anisotropy , deformation (meteorology) , molecule , orientation (vector space) , wetting transition , contact angle , composite material , optoelectronics , physics , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
This paper reports on the experimental observation of an anisotropic photo controlled wetting effect. We discuss how capillary propagation of nematic liquid crystals in a "sandwich" cell is blocked in areas exposed to light. We postulate that the underlying mechanism is related to the optical reorientation of molecules on the surface of the surrounding solid, which in turn, forces a corresponding reorientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The corresponding orientation deformation energy of the liquid then changes the balance of forces and the corresponding capillary action.