Disclinations Observed During the Shear of MBBA

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We describe observations made with an optical microscope of the formation of two distinct types of disclinations during the shear of a small molecule nematic, MBBA. Once formed, these disclinations grow and deform in the shear field. We also report observations of the relaxation of these defects after the cessation of shear. The optical contrasts and associated distortions are shown to be more localised during shear than in the absence of flow. The two types of disclinations are believed to be singular structures of strengths ± 1/2 and non-singular structures of strengths ± 1.

This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit: