  We study how dispersions of colloidal particles in a cholesteric liquid
crystal behave under a time-dependent electric field. By controlling the
amplitude and shape of the applied field wave, we show that the system can be
reproducibly driven out of equilibrium through different kinetic pathways and
navigated through a glassy-like free energy landscape encompassing many
competing metastable equilibria. Such states range from simple Saturn rings to
complex structures featuring amorphous defect networks, or stacks of
disclination loops. A non-equilibrium electric field can also trigger the
alignment of particles into columnar arrays, through defect-mediated force
impulses, or their repositioning within a plane. Our results are promising in
terms of providing new avenues towards controlled patterning and self-assembly
of soft colloid-liquid crystal composite materials.
