Séminaire de Michel Mitov: Design, optics, and structure of complex-twist chiral liquid crystals

  • Science et Société
Publié le 7 février 2022 Mis à jour le 16 janvier 2023
Date(s)

le 18 mars 2022

11:00
Lieu(x)
Site Sophia et on-line
Abstract_Mitov
Abstract_Mitov

Design, optics, and structure of complex-twist chiral liquid crystals

Michel Mitov, CEMES, Toulouse

The twisted structure of chiral liquid crystals known as cholesterics is seen everywhere in biology, including the architecture of key macromolecules and biopolymers such as DNA, collagen, chitin, and cellulose. It is crucial in photonic crystals, optical property research, and current non-display applications. The cholesteric structure is distinguished by the selective reflection of light, which is determined by the helix pitch, as well as the polarization selectivity of the reflected light. The present and future of research in the subject are structures with complex twist, that is, non-uniform: gradual, frustrated, curved, with a dual sense, or with an antagonistic molecular anchoring to the limits. In this context, we will discuss issues and recent findings in femtosecond pulse compression and stretching, biological micromirrors with wavelength-selective focusing, optical tags, the challenges of biomimicry of iridescent and patterned insect cuticles, and futuristic projects in the field of autonomous vehicle guidance.

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