Lensing effects in a nematic liquid crystal with topological defects

C. Sátiro; F. Moraes

doi:10.1140/epje/i2005-10127-2

EPJ

Lensing effects in a nematic liquid crystal with topological defects

C. Sátiro and F. Moraes^*

Departamento de Fısica, Universidade Federal da Paraıba, Caixa Postal 5008, 58051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

Received: 23 March 2005
Accepted: 17 May 2006
Published online: 16 June 2006

Abstract

Light traveling through a liquid crystal with disclinations perceives a geometrical background which causes lensing effects similar to the ones predicted for cosmic objects like global monopoles and cosmic strings. In this paper we explore the effective geometry as perceived by light in such media. The comparison between both systems suggests that experiments can be done in the laboratory to simulate optical properties, like gravitational lensing, of cosmic objects.

PACS: 61.30.Jf Defects in liquid crystals – / 61.30.Dk Continuum models and theories of liquid crystal structure – / 78.20.Bh Theory, models, and numerical simulation – / 02.40.-k Geometry, differential geometry, and topology –