Complex backflow dynamics in nematic liquid crystals

The backflow problem of a nematic liquid crystal confined to a long capillary and subject to an external magnetic field is studied numerically. Nematodynamic equations are reviewed, followed by an introduction of characteristic scales and short explanation of the numerical implementation. Snapshots of three-dimensional director and velocity fields are presented. It is demonstrated that there are cases, where the backflow does not merely introduce quantitative corrections to the director dynamics, but changes the relaxation process in a complete manner.