Interfacial Energies of Systems of Chiral Molecules

Abstract

We consider a simple model for the assembly of chiral molecules in two dimensions driven by maximization of the contact area. We derive a macroscopic model described by a parameter taking nine possible values corresponding to the possible minimal microscopic patterns and modulated phases of the chiral molecules. We describe the overall behavior by means of an interaction energy of perimeter type between such phases. This energy is a crystalline perimeter energy, highlighting preferred directions for the interfaces between ensembles of molecules labeled by different values of the parameter.