https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2008-10309-4
Regular Article
On the deflection of light by topological defects in nematic liquid crystals
Departamento de Fısica, Universidade Federal da Paraıba, Caixa Postal 5008, 58051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
* e-mail: caio@fisica.ufpb.br
Received:
24
January
2008
Accepted:
5
March
2008
Published online:
15
April
2008
The influence of controllable parameters like temperature and wavelength on the trajectories of light in a nematic liquid crystal with topological defects is studied through a geometric model. The model incorporates phenomenological details as how the refractive indices depend on such parameters. The deflection of light by the topological defect is then shown to be greater at lower temperatures and shorter wavelengths.
PACS: 61.30.Jf Defects in liquid crystals – / 61.30.Dk Continuum models and theories of liquid crystal structure – / 42.70.Df Liquid crystals – / 78.20.Fm Birefringence –
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag, 2008
