Singularity identification for the characterization of topology, geometry, and motion of nematic disclination lines
Cody D. Schimming, Jorge Viñals
Abstract
, and shown to decompose as a dyad involving the tangent vector to the disclination line and the rotation vector. Further, we derive a kinematic law for the velocity of disclination lines by connecting this tensor to a topological charge density as in the Halperin-Mazenko description of defects in vector models. Using this framework, analytical predictions for the velocity of interacting line disclinations and of self-annihilating disclination loops are given and confirmed through numerical computation.
Topics & Concepts
DisclinationTensor (intrinsic definition)Liquid crystalPhysicsTensor fieldSingularityTopology (electrical circuits)Tangent vectorLine (geometry)Topological defectTangentClassical mechanicsGeometryCondensed matter physicsQuantum mechanicsExact solutions in general relativityMathematicsCombinatoricsLiquid Crystal Research AdvancementsMicro and Nano RoboticsAdvanced Materials and Mechanics