Compression-induced crossovers for the ground state of classical dipole lattices on a Möbius strip

Abstract

We explore the ground-state properties of a lattice of classical dipoles spanned on the surface of a Möbius strip. The dipole equilibrium configurations depend significantly on the geometrical parameters of the Möbius strip, as well as on the lattice dimensions. As a result of the variable dipole spacing on the curved surface of the Möbius strip, the ground state can consist of multiple domains with different dipole orientations which are separated by domain-wall-like boundaries. We analyze in particular the dependence of the ground-state dipole configuration on the width of the Möbius strip and highlight two crossovers in the ground state that can be correspondingly tuned. A first crossover changes the dipole lattice from a phase which resists compression to a phase that favors it. The second crossover leads to an exchange of the topological properties of the two involved domains. We conclude with a brief summary and an outlook on more complex topologically intricate surfaces.