ABSTRACT
We study numerically curvature and electric field driven domain formation and reorientations in two-dimensional nematic liquid crystals within square confinement. We use the Landau-de Gennes description in terms of the nematic tensor order parameter. We show that on increasing the amplitude of a sinusoidally shaped confining wall, pairs {defect, antidefect} are formed, which enable insertion of domains displaying significantly different average orientational order with respect to the surrounding nematic body. Furthermore, we study E-driven transformation between two competing degenerate domain-type structures. We show that transformations could be mediated via qualitatively different intermediate structures possessing topological defects.
Graphical Abstract
![](/cms/asset/1ebab848-90e0-410e-9005-2df9e357377e/tlct_a_1666432_uf0001_c.jpg)
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.