Abstract
We show that backflow, the coupling between the order parameter and the velocity fields, has a significant effect on the motion of defects in nematic liquid crystals. In particular, the defect speed can depend strongly on the topological strength in two dimensions and on the sense of rotation of the director about the core in three dimensions.
Highlights
Topological defects arise in all areas of physics from cosmic strings [1] to vortices in superfluid helium [2]
We show that back-flow, the coupling between the order parameter and the velocity fields, has a significant effect on the motion of defects in nematic liquid crystals
Defects are classified according to their topological strength, and in many cases, the symmetries of the field equations lead to dynamics where defects of opposite topological strength can be mapped into each other
Summary
Topological defects arise in all areas of physics from cosmic strings [1] to vortices in superfluid helium [2]. We show that back-flow, the coupling between the order parameter and the velocity fields, has a significant effect on the motion of defects in nematic liquid crystals. In this Letter we show an example, of topological line defects in liquid crystals [3], where this symmetry is broken, due to the coupling to an additional field, the flow-field, or to elastic constants that are not equal.
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