Twist transition in nematic droplets: a stability analysis

Abstract

The twist transition of the radial configuration between two concentric spheres with rigid perpendicular anchoring at the surfaces is examined. We perform a stability analysis and derive a sufficient condition for the twist transition to take place. We show that even a small sphere inside a large one can stabilize the radial configuration which confirms recent experiments. The light transmission of the twisted director field in a nematic drop is calculated by means of Jones matrices. The result agrees qualitatively with experimental images.