title: Creating arbitrary arrays of two-dimensional topological defects.
abstract: An atomic force microscope was used to scribe a polyimide-coated substrate with complex patterns that serve as an alignment template for a nematic liquid crystal. By employing a sufficiently large density of scribe lines, two-dimensional topological defect arrays of arbitrary defect strength were patterned on the substrate. When used as the master surface of a liquid crystal cell, in which the opposing slave surface is treated for planar degenerate alignment, the liquid crystal adopts the pattern's alignment with a disclination line emanating at the defect core on one surface and terminating at the other surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Bryce S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pelcovits
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt