Fine structure of point defects and soliton decay in nematic liquid crystals

Abstract
On the basis of Landau-de Gennes-theory it is demonstrated that point defects in nematic liquid crystals may have a biaxial nonsingular core. From this result a critical diameter is derived for linear topological solitons in nematics. Solitons of smaller diameter can relax to the uniform nematic state without energy barrier via an intermediate biaxial phase

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