Raw data and code for the article "Topological barriers to defect nucleation generate large mechanical forces in an ordered fluid"

This collection contains raw data and code for the research article "Topological barriers to defect nucleation generate large mechanical forces in an ordered fluid" to be published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS). The mechanical response of a cholesteric liquid crystal film with planar anchoring conditions was investigated using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). The film showed a strongly asymmetric response during compression and dilation. Notably, very large repulsive forces were generated during compression. The asymmetry was explained using a simple model of elastic deformation including line tension of dislocation defects, reminescent of nucleation theory in first order phase transitions.<br>

本数据集包含将发表于《美国国家科学院院刊》（Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA，简称PNAS）的研究论文《拓扑缺陷成核势垒在有序流体中产生巨大机械力》对应的原始数据与代码。
研究采用表面力仪（Surface Forces Apparatus，SFA），对具备平面锚定（planar anchoring）条件的胆甾型液晶（cholesteric liquid crystal）薄膜的力学响应展开了探究。
该薄膜在压缩与扩张过程中表现出极强的不对称力学响应。
值得注意的是，压缩过程中产生了数值极大的排斥力。
这种不对称性可通过包含位错缺陷线张力的弹性变形简单模型进行解释，该模型借鉴了一级相变中的成核理论。