Nematic braids: topological invariants and rewiring of disclinations

Abstract

The conventional topological description given by the fundamental group of nematic order parameter does not adequately explain the entangled defect line structures that have been observed in nematic colloids. We introduce a new topological invariant, the self-linking number, that enables a complete classification of entangled defect line structures in general nematics, even without particles, and demonstrate our formalism using colloidal dimers, for which entangled structures have been previously observed. We also unveil a simple rewiring scheme for the orthogonal crossing of two -1/2 disclinations, based on a tetrahedral rotation of two relevant disclination segments, that allows us to predict possible nematic braids and calculate their self-linking numbers.

7 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in PRL, extended version with supplementary information

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Reconfigurable knots and links in chiral nematic colloids
• Repulsion-attraction switching of nematic colloids formed by liquid crystal dispersions of polygonal prisms
• Three-dimensional vortex structures and dynamics in hexagonal manganites
• Field-controlled columnar and planar patterning of cholesteric colloids