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Title: Reconfiguration of Nematic Disclinations in Plane-Parallel Confinements
We study numerically the reconfiguration process of colliding m=1/2 strength disclinations in an achiral nematic liquid crystal (NLC). A Landau–de Gennes approach in terms of tensor nematic-order parameters is used. Initially, different pairs m1,m2 of parallel wedge disclination lines connecting opposite substrates confining the NLC in a plane-parallel cell of a thickness h are imposed: {1/2,1/2}, {−1/2,−1/2} and {−1/2,1/2}. The collisions are imposed by the relative rotation of the azimuthal angle θ of the substrates that strongly pin the defect end points. Pairs {1/2,1/2} and {−1/2,−1/2} “rewire” at the critical angle θc1=3π4 in all cases studied. On the other hand, two qualitatively different scenarios are observed for {−1/2,1/2}. In the thinner film regime hhc, the colliding disclinations at θc2 reconfigure into boojum-like twist disclinations.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1901797
PAR ID:
10418099
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Crystals
Volume:
13
Issue:
6
ISSN:
2073-4352
Page Range / eLocation ID:
904
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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