Abstract
As an interesting example of how geometry affects the formation of defects, we study the defect structures of a hybrid nematic liquid-crystal film in a wedge-shaped cell made up of sinusoidal microwrinkles and an elastomer sheet. When the cell thickness is larger than a threshold value h c, +1/2 and -1/2 disclinations are simultaneously stabilized along concave grooves and convex crests, respectively. A simple theoretical analysis gives a good estimate of h c. The disclinations also show alternating optical rotations resulting from the curved boundary and liquid-crystal elastic anisotropy.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 030701 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 28 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Statistics and Probability
- Condensed Matter Physics