Nanoscale analysis of defect shedding from liquid crystal interfaces.

Abstract

A new defect-forming mechanism is predicted for liquid crystals undergoing an isotropic-to-nematic phase transition. A continuum theory characterizes how +1/2 defects (D<30 nm) evolve within and then shed from the interface (cross section approximately 100 nm) of a growing 5CB (4-n-4'-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl) nanodroplet (20 nm<D<2000 nm). Free energy density, defect core shapes, and the evolving defect core structure are presented at the nanoscale to better understand liquid crystal anisotropy and orientation during interfacial defect shedding.