Fingered core structure of nematic boojums

Samo Kralj (Author), Riccardo Rosso (Author), Epifanio G. Virga (Author)

Abstract

Using the Landau-de Gennes phenomenological approach, we study the fine biaxial core structure of a boojum residing on the surface of a nematic liquid crystal phase. The core is formed by a negatively uniaxial finger, surrounded by a shell with maximal biaxiality. The characteristic finger's length and the shell's width are comparable to the biaxial correlation length. The finger tip is melted for topological reasons. Upon decreasing the surface anchoring strength below a critical value, the finger gradually leaves the bulk and it is expelled through the surface.

Keywords

fizika;tekoči kristali;nematični kristali;linijski defekti;površinske strukture;physics;liquid crystals;nematic crystals;line defects;surface phenomena;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2008
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UM FNM - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
UDC:	532.783
COBISS:	16177416
ISSN:	1539-3755
Views:	1311
Downloads:	96
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	English
Secondary keywords:	fizika;tekoči kristali;nematični kristali;linijski defekti;površinske strukture;
URN:	URN:SI:UM:
Pages:	str. 031701-1-031701-4
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ78
Issue:	ǂno. ǂ3
Chronology:	2008
DOI:	10.1103/PhysRevE.78.031701
ID:	8724037