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arXiv · cond-mat/9906388

Topological Defects in Nematic Droplets of Hard Spherocylinders

J. Dzubiella·M. Schmidt·H. Loewen
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Abstract

Using computer simulations we investigate the microscopic structure of the singular director field within a nematic droplet. As a theoretical model for nematic liquid crystals we take hard spherocylinders. To induce an overall topological charge, the particles are either confined to a two-dimensional circular cavity with homeotropic boundary or to the surface of a three-dimensional sphere. Both systems exhibit half-integer topological point defects. The isotropic defect core has a radius of the order of one particle length and is surrounded by free-standing density oscillations. The effective interaction between two defects is investigated. All results should be experimentally observable in thin sheets of colloidal liquid crystals.

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J. Dzubiella, M. Schmidt, H. Loewen. 2000-07-14. Topological Defects in Nematic Droplets of Hard Spherocylinders. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.62.5081

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