Lattice Boltzmann and Jones matrix calculations for the determination of the director field structure in self-propelling nematic droplets.

Abstract

Nematic droplets immersed in aqueous surfactant solutions can show a self-propelled motion induced by a Marangoni flow in the droplet surface. In addition to the self-propulsion, the Marangoni flow induces within the droplet a convective flow which considerably influences the nematic director field of the droplet. We report numerical simulations aiming at the determination of the director field in the self-propelling droplet. The convective flow and the resulting structure of director field are described by a lattice Boltzmann model. The reliability of the obtained structures is proved by subsequent Jones matrix calculations which enable the direct comparison of experimental polarizing microscopy images of self-propelling droplets with calculated images based on the simulated structures.