Symmetry-breaking and symmetry-recovering occurring during coalescence of nematic droplets with a bipolar structure

Abstract

We have directly observed the coalescence process of elementary nematic droplets having a bipolar structure. The coalescence results in a symmetry-breaking of the elementary droplet and then creation of new defects at the surface of the coalesced droplet. The annihilation of the defects with opposite signs and the shape change result in symmetry-recovering and finally formation of a large droplet that has absolutely the same structure as the former elementary droplets.