Distortion waves and phase slippage in nematics

Abstract
It is shown that in the infinite nematic liquid, the distortion waves can propagate when submitted to the elliptically polarized shear deformation. These waves are helical and their propagation can also be seen as a rotation of the helical distortion. The analogy with the shear wave propagation in the rotating newtonian fluid is indicated. The rotation of the distortion is observed in a finite nematic slab submitted to an electric field in order to prevent the relaxation of the distortion. The analogy between the distortion and the two-dimensional superfluid order parameter is developed. The phase winding and slippage is observed experimentally

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