Formation of topological defects in nematic shells with a dumbbell-like shape

The present study investigates dumbbell-shaped nematic liquid crystal shells. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we consider the effects of an external electric field on nematic ordering by computing the average molecular alignment's time evolution and equilibrium configuration. We show that the number and location of topological defects are strongly affected by the external field, with the orientational ordering's equilibrium configuration depending on field direction about the shell's long axis. For a transverse external field, it is verified that the defect rearrangement presents a non-linear dynamics, with a field independent characteristic time scale delimiting the short and long time regimes. Effects associated with varying the shell's Gaussian curvature are also analyzed.

Automated summary

This study investigates the behavior of dumbbell-shaped nematic liquid crystal shells under an external electric field through molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the number and location of topological defects are strongly influenced by the external field, and the equilibrium configuration of orientational ordering depends on the field direction. Additionally, the effects of varying the shell's Gaussian curvature on the liquid crystal shells are analyzed.