Transport by electric field

AC electric field induces a macroscopic transport of colloidal particles along the nematic director. The motion of particles is governed by dielectrophoretic and nematic structural forces. Using patterned parallel electrodes we have observed that colloidal particles could be pumped and accelerated across the field – no-field interface.

MOVIE: Transport of 4 micron particles from the area with AC electric field to the no-field area observing under polarization microscope.

MOVIE: Acceleration of colloidal particles across the »field« - »no-field« interface.

Different 2D hexagonal crystallites are formed after pumping to the »no-field« region.

M. Škarabot, U. Tkalec and I. Muševič, Transport and crystallization of colloidal particles in a thin nematic cell. The European physical journal. E, 24, 99, (2007).