https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01904-5
Regular Article
Spontaneous flows in active smectics with dislocations
1
Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, CPT (UMR 7332), Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
2
Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187, Dresden, Germany
3
Cluster of Excellence, Physics of Life, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
4
Laboratoire Physico-Chimie Curie, UMR 168, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005, Paris, France
5
Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore, Singapore
a
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b
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Received:
1
September
2025
Accepted:
3
September
2025
Published online:
13
September
2025
Abstract
We construct a hydrodynamic theory of active smectics A in two-dimensional space, including the creation/annihilation and motility of dislocations with Burgers’ number 
. We derive analytical criteria on the set of parameters that lead to flows. We show that the motility of dislocations can lead to flow transitions with distinct features from the previously reported active Helfrich-Hurault shear instability with, notably, a discontinuous transition in the velocity from quiescence to turbulence.
We dedicate this article to Etienne Guyon who inspired many of us with his exceptional love for science. His friendship was particularly important for J. P. who benefited so much from his warmth and enthusiasm.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
