Instability modes of high-strength disclinations in nematics.
We solve the complete tensor fluctuation problem of a long and straight nematic disclination line with a general winding number in the one elastic constant approximation. Focusing on the eigenmodes growing in time, we show that the disclination with strength higher than 1/2 is unstable with respect to the splitting and for integer strength also to the escape--in both cases there is no metastability. Numerically we show that a moderate elastic anisotropy, e.g., as found in thermotropic liquid crystals like 5CB or MBBA, does not introduce any metastability either.
Svensek
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Department of Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. svensek@fmf.uni-lj.si
Zumer
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