title: Effects of flow on topological defects in a nematic liquid crystal near a colloid.
abstract: We perform molecular dynamics simulations of a nematic liquid crystal flowing around a colloidal particle. We study the flow-induced modifications of the topological defects in the liquid crystal due to the presence of the colloid. We show that flow distorts Boojum defects into an asymmetrically larger downstream lobe, and that Saturn ring defects are convected downstream along the flow direction, which is in agreement with experimental observations. Additionally, for a Janus colloid with both parallel and perpendicular patches, exhibiting a Boojum defect and a Saturn ring defect, we find that the Boojum defect facing the upstream direction is destroyed and the Saturn ring is convected downstream.
authors: Stranski-Laboratorium für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 115, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Tillmann
authors: T
authors: Stieger
authors: Stranski-Laboratorium für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 115, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Schoen
authors: Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation (MPIDS), Am Faßberg 17, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors: Marco G
authors: MG
authors: Mazza