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
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.