Núria Petit-Garrido, Rahul P. Trivedi, Jordi Ignés-Mullol, Josep Claret, Clayton Lapointe, Francesc Sagués, and Ivan I. Smalyukh
We use Langmuir-Blodgett molecular monolayers and nematic liquid crystals as model two- and three-dimensional orientationally ordered systems to study the stability and healing of topological defects at their contact interfaces. Integer-strength defects at the monolayer induce disclinations of similar strength in the nematic that, however, do not propagate deep into the bulk, but rather form single- or double-split arch-shaped loops pinned to the interface. This behavior is qualitatively independent of the far-field director orientation and involves either half-integer singular or twist-escaped unity-strength nonsingular nematic disclinations. These two defect configurations can be selected by varying sample preparation given their comparable free energy, consistently with direct probing by use of laser tweezers.
DOI
We use Langmuir-Blodgett molecular monolayers and nematic liquid crystals as model two- and three-dimensional orientationally ordered systems to study the stability and healing of topological defects at their contact interfaces. Integer-strength defects at the monolayer induce disclinations of similar strength in the nematic that, however, do not propagate deep into the bulk, but rather form single- or double-split arch-shaped loops pinned to the interface. This behavior is qualitatively independent of the far-field director orientation and involves either half-integer singular or twist-escaped unity-strength nonsingular nematic disclinations. These two defect configurations can be selected by varying sample preparation given their comparable free energy, consistently with direct probing by use of laser tweezers.
DOI
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