Manipulation of m=1 topological disclination line core structure

摘要: Abstract Topological defects (TDs) arise in phases reached via symmetry-breaking phase transitions. Their behavior displays several universalities and is of interest to all branches physics, including particle soft-condensed matter, cosmology. Ideal testing beds study the physics TDs are liquid crystals (LCs), where relatively easily approachable experimentally. In paper, we perform a numerical investigation locally perturbed m = 1 line defect core structure nematic LC confined within plane-parallel cell. We use mesoscopic Landau-de Gennes model terms tensor order parameter. Relatively thin cells considered, a m = 1 disclination enforced by appropriately patterned confining surfaces. demonstrate that an imposed local melting, which breaks cylindrical symmetry, could trigger splitting into two m = 1/2 lines. Such manipulations enable transformations between qualitatively different structures. Cores be also manipulated nanoparticles exploited various applications.