Magnetic field-induced vortex triplet and vortex lattice in a liquid crystal cell

Abstract

Vortices are particle-type solutions with topological charges that can steer the dynamics in various physical systems. By the application of electromagnetic fields onto a homeotropic nematic liquid crystal cell, we are able to induce a vortex triplet that remains stable and trapped at a given location. For a low frequency of the driven voltage, we observe that the vortex triplet is unstable and gives rise to the appearance of a topological lattice. Based on an amplitude equation valid close to reorientational instability, it allows us to reveal the origin of the vortex triplet and vortex lattice. Numerical simulations show a quite fair agreement with theoretical findings and experimental observations.