28. Application of topological theorems to studies of coalescence and ordering processes in liquid crystal droplets
writer：Wei Wang, Takeji Hashimoto
keywords：topological theorems; liquid crystal droplets
source：期刊
specific source：Journal of the Physical Society of Japan
Issue time：1996年
We have observed the coalescence process of elementary nematic droplets having either radial or bipolar structure. The coalescence causes symmetry-breaking in elementary droplets and then creates new defects either in the bulk or at the surface of the coalesced droplet; the defects annihilate and the shape of the droplets after coalescence changes, resulting in symmetry-recovering and formation of the larger droplets which have the same structure as the former ones. We found that the number and feature of the defects formed and then annihilated during ordering processes can be precisely interpreted in terms of the topological theorems: the Gauss theorem for the droplets with the normal boundary condition, and the Poincaré theorem for the droplets with the tangential boundary condition.