Curvature-induced defect unbinding in toroidal geometries

Mark Bowick, David R. Nelson, Alex Travesset

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Toroidal templates such as vesicles with hexatic bond orientational order are discussed. The total energy including disclination charges is explicitly computed for hexatic order embedded in a toroidal geometry. Related results apply for tilt or nematic order on the torus in the one Frank constant approximation. Although there is no topological necessity for defects in the ground state, we find that excess disclination defects are nevertheless energetically favored for fat torii or moderate vesicle sizes. Some experimental consequences are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)12
Number of pages1
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics
Volume69
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Statistics and Probability
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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