Defect dynamics in active smectics induced by confining geometry and topology

Abstract

The persistent dynamics in systems out of equilibrium, particularly those characterized by annihilation and creation of topological defects, is known to involve complicated spatiotemporal processes and is deemed difficult to control. Here the complex dynamics of defects in active smectic layers exposed to strong confinements is explored, through self-propulsion of active particles and a variety of confining geometries with different topology, ranging from circular, flower-shaped epicycloid, to hypocycloid cavities, channels, and rings. We identify a wealth of dynamical behaviors during the evolution of complex spatiotemporal defect patterns as induced by the confining shape and topology, particularly a perpetual creation-annihilation dynamical state at intermediate activity with large fluctuations of topological defects and a controllable transition from oscillatory to damped time correlation of defect number density via mechanisms governed by boundary cusps. Our results are obtained by using an active phase field crystal approach. Possible experimental realizations are also discussed.

It is intriguing but challenging to control the complex dynamics of topological defects that emerge in nonequilibrium spatiotemporal systems. Through an effective modelling this work explores a viable way to controllably vary the properties of persistent defect dynamics in self-propelled active smectics via the competition of activity and boundary confinements with different topology and geometry.