ABSTRACT
We present large-scale lattice Monte Carlo simulations of nematic ordering in the vicinity of submicron objects — colloids or viruses — of different shapes (spherical, cubical or icosahedral) immersed in a nematic liquid crystal. We simulate polarized light transmission patterns for the various particles and find that they are distinguishable, suggesting that they might be useful for object shape recognition or, in case of viruses, for diagnostic purposes.
Funding
The financial support from the Slovenian Research Agency and the European Union (Programme P1-0099 and NAMASTE Center of Excellence) is gratefully acknowledged.