Eur. Phys. J. D 17, 255-259 (2001)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100530170029

Constrained order in frustrated 2D optical patterns

I.N.L.N. (UMR 6618 du CNRS) , Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, 1361 route des Lucioles, 06560 Valbonne, France

Corresponding author: ^a residori@inln.cnrs.fr

Received: 19 January 2001
Revised: 2 June 2001
Published online: 15 November 2001

Abstract

In 2D optical patterns obtained in a Liquid Crystal Light Valve with optical feedback, we show a new kind of geometrical frustration which comes from the imposed form of the boundaries. The circular section of the incoming laser beam presents a symmetry which belongs to the O(2) group, whereas the optical feedback selects patterns with a symmetry restrained to a dihedral subgroup of O(2). By imposing boundaries which respect the symmetry of the dihedral group, we lift the frustration and obtain perfectly ordered patterns.