Periodically-modulated unipolar and bipolar orders in nematic fluids towards miniaturized nonlinear vectorial optics
Complex polar topological configurations are the foundation for exploring exotic phases and nontrivial emergent phenomena in condensed-matter physics. While numerous topological configurations like skyrmions and merons are known to occur spontaneously in various materials, achieving the designability of magnetically- and electrically-polar textures in a controlled manner is a long-standing challenge in domain engineering. Here, we discover an unprecedented mesophase that exhibits unipolar and bipolar orders, where both apolar and polar orientational order parameters are modulated. The polar state enables defect-free polar patterning with designability and controllability on large scales. A case study demonstrates the facile generation of second-harmonic perfect vector beams through photopatterned topological polar liquid crystal superstructures. Remarkably, this single-layer, micrometer-thin-film device attains functionalities comparable to multiple conventional optical components, establishing a foundation for advanced nonlinear vectorial optics at the micrometer scale.
Authors
- Guangyang Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6380-0468)
- Yanqing Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6151-8557)
- Satoshi Aya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5873-1701)
- Minghui Deng
- Zeyu Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1003-4322)
- Yu Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0249-4414)
- Yong Ye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6234-3971)
- Lingling Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0001-9524)
- Jidan Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9190-2736)
- Ning Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1677-9678)
- E.Y. Lin
- Jintao Pan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3376-8927)
- Yang Wei
Institutions
- Nanjing Agricultural University (CN)
- Nanjing Tech University (CN)
- China Pharmaceutical University (CN)
- Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (CN)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures (CN)
- Nanjing University (CN)
- South China University of Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-10-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64463-2
- Citations
- 27
- Primary Topic
- Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 11.54
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Government of Jiangsu Province
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
- Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
- Nanjing University
- National Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities