C H A P T E R V I

HIGH STRENGTH DEFECTS I N NEMATIC L I Q U I D CRYSTALS

6.1 INTRODUCTION .

The s c h l i e r e n t e x t u r e o f n e m a t i c l i q u i d c r y s t a l s i s c h a r a c -

terised by a s e t of p o i n t s a t which t h e d i r e c t o r o r i e n t a t i o n i s

d i s c o n t i n u o u s . These p o i n t s c o r r e s p o n d t o d i s c l i n a t i o n l i n e s viewed

end on. Between crossed polarisers these points are connected

by d a r k b r u s h e s which a r e r e g i o n s i n which t h e d i r e c t o r i s e i t h e r

parallel or perpendicular to the plane of polarisation of the

incident l i g h t (see for e.g., Fig.l.12).

A mathematical analysis of t h e a c t u a l c o n f i g u r a t i o n around

the disclinations was given by Oseen (1933) and Frank (1958).

( S e e a l s o t h e r e c e n t r e v i e w by C h a n d r a s e k h a r and Ranganath 1 9 8 6 ) .

N e h r i n g and Saupe (1972) have made e x p e r i m e n t a l o b s e r v a t i o n s o n

t h e S c h l i e r e n t e x t u r e s and d e v e l o p e d t h e t h e o r y f u r t h e r . The c o n t i -

nuum t h e o r y o f e l a s t i c d e f o r m a t i o n s forms t h e b a s i s o f s u c h mathe-

matical treatments. The d i r e c t o r % changes its o r i e n t a t i o n c o n t i -

nuously around a disclination. This curvature of the director

c o s t s e l a s t i c energy. The a c t u a l c o n f i g u r a t i o n a r o u n d t h e d e f e c t s

can be obtained by m i n i m i s i n g t h e f r e e e n e r g y d e n s i t y . We now

g i v e a b r i e f summary o f t h e t h e o r y .

We i n t r o d u c e a s p a c e f i x e d C a r t e s i a n c o o r d i n a t e s y s t e m ( x , y , z )
with t h e z- axis perpendicular t o t h e plane of t h e nematic l a y e r . A
p l a n a r s t r u c t u r e w i t h 8 l y i n g i n t h e x-y p l a n e i s assumed. The

components o f ?air e c o s I), s i n $ , 0, where I) i s t h e a n g l e between

-+
n and t h e x - a x i s .

The e l a s t i c f r e e e n e r g y d e n s i t y i s g i v e n by

Fd
1
= -[K '2
(div n)
'
+ K22(n . + K (d x '2
curl n) ]
2 11 33

(6.1)

When anisotropy of elastic constants is considered it is very

d i f f i c u l t t o obtain exact s o l u t i o n s corresponding t o t h e d i r e c t o r

c o n f i g u r a t i o n s around the defects. Nehring and Saupe (1972) have

obtained only perturbation solutions taking into consideration

a small elastic anisotropy. If a one constant approximation is

considered, i . e . ,
K1 1 = K22 = K 3 3 = K , i t i s e a s y t o o b t a i n s o l u t i o n s
for the d i r e c t o r configurations. Eqn. (6.1 ) can t h e n be w r i t t e n

as

The minimisation of Fd results in the following equation

of e q u i l i b r i u m ( t h e Euler-Lagrange e q u a t i o n )

where n = ani/ax ( i , j = l , 2 , where x = x , x = y and n = n

i,j j ' 1 2 I X'
n = n ) which y i e l d s
2 Y
The solutions of this equation are qJ = constant corresponding

to a uniform director orientation and

corresponding to the disclinations called wedge disclinations.

Here a = tan-' (y/x) and c is a constant. It is clear that JI becomes

multiple valued at the centre of the defect and hence leads to

a singularity at that point. In order to maintain continuity on

going in a closed circuit around a disclination, the director

has to match with its original orientation. Considering the apola-

rity of the director, s = 1/2 m, where m = * l , r2,.... s is called

the strength of the disclination line. For integral values of

s the director rotates by even multiples of IT on making a full

turn around the disclination line and for half integral values

of s the director rotates by odd multiples of n .

The director configurations around defects of various streng-

ths are sketched in Fig. 6.1. For s f + 1 the structure of the discli-

nation is independent of the constant c. A change Ac only causes

a rotation of the structure around the z-axis by an angle Ac/(l-s),

but for s = + l a change in c changes the structure around the singu-

larity. c f m -
?T
(where m is an integer) corresponds to logarithmic
2
1
spirals, c =mrr to an all radial and c = ( m + ? ) n to a all circular
F i g u r e 6.1. f il e l d s around
Schematic {liagt-arn o f t h e c l i r l e c t c ~ ~
disc!.inatioris of v a r i o u s strengths, according t o eqn ( 6 . 5 ) .
arrangement in the x-y plane. However when elastic anisotropy

i s considered t h e only configuration allowed f o r t h e s = + l defect

is e i t h e r t h e purely r a d i a l o r t h e purely c i r c u l a r configurations

(Dzyaloshinskii 1970, Cladis and Kleman 1972, N e h r i n g and Saupe

1972).

6.2 ENERGY OF AN ISOLATED DISCLINATION LINE

We now calculate the deformation energy' per unit length

o f a n i s o l a t e d d i s c l i n a t i o n l i n e (Nehring and Saupe, 1 9 7 2 ) . Consi-

d e r i n g t h e c y l i n d r i c a l c o o r d i n a t e s y s t e m and a s s u m i n g t h a t a c o r e

region extends from the origin to r t h e deformation energy per

C

unit length

From Eqns. ( 6 . 2 ) a n d ( 6 . 5 )

W i s t h e energy of t h e c o r e and R is the s i z e of t h e sample.

C

Assuming that Wc makes a relatively small contribution, W has

a l o g a r i t h m i c d i v e r g e n c e with t h e s i z e o f t h e sample. For a given

R and r t h e e l a s t i c energy c a r r i e d by a defect is proportional

C
2
t o s , t h u s d i s c l i n a t i o n s w i t h s = +I cost f o u r times the energy

of those with s= C- : in this approximation. T h i s means that a l l

defects of strength 1 s 1 > 71 should spontaneously break up to

 1
form a number o f d e f e c t s o f s t r e n g t h s = *o n~l y .

However experimentally s=k1 disclinations are frequently

s e e n a n d a r e found t o be q u i t e s t a b l e . T h i s problem was r e s o l v e d b y

C l a d i s a n d Kleman (1972) and Meyer (1973A). They n o t e d t h a t i f

t h e d i r e c t o r is allowed t o c o l l a p s e i n t h e t h i r d dimension o v e r

a r a d i u s R , such t h a t it p o i n t s along t h e z- axis a t the o r i g i n ,

t h e t o t a l e n e r g y i s r e d u c e d and t h e c o r e c a n be d i s p e n s e d w i t h .

We consider a long circular c y l i n d e r of radius R containing a

nematic l i q u i d c r y s t a l . Let u s t a k e t h e c a s e o f a n s = + l d i s c l i n a -

t i o n l i n e . T h i s c a n have e i t h e r a r a d i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n o r a c i r c u l a r

d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e d i r e c t o r . I n t h e c y l i n d r i c a l c o o r d i n a t e system,

t h e components o f 2 f o r t h e p u r e s p l a y ( r a d i a l ) c a s e a r e n = c o s 8,
r
n
z
= s i n 0 and n
4' = 0 and f o r t h e p u r e bend ( c i r c u l a r c a s e ) a r e
n r = 0. , =cos 8 and n = s i n 8 (Fig. 6.2). 8 i s a f u n c t i o n of
"c$ z
the radius.

In t h e one c o n s t a n t approximation t h e f r e e energy p e r u n i t

l e n g t h o f t h e c y l i n d e r f o r b o t h c a s e s i s g i v e n by

r
C
The E u l e r - L a g r a n g e e q u a t i o n i s

-
dr ('dr
do) - - s i n 8 rc o s 0
This has the general solution
 S=+1
Bend

Figure 6.2

Collapse of the director at the centre of the S = +l

disclinations. Nails signify that the director is
t i l t e d with respect t o t h e plane o f t h e paper.
6.4 ANISOTROPY OF ELASTIC CONSTANTS

Anisotropy of elastic constants (K1 # K22 f K33) changes

t h e s o l u t i o n f o r t h e d i r e c t o r f i e l d around a s i n g l e d e f e c t (Nehring

a n d S a u p e 1972) a s a l s o t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n and t h e e n e r g y o f i n t e r a c -

t i o n between t h e p a i r o f d e f e c t s . Ranganath ( 1 9 8 0 ) h a s shown t h a t

d e p e n d i n g on t h e a n i s o t r o p y , s p e c i f i c v a l u e s o f c s h o u l d be f a v o u -

red. T h i s i s d u e t o t h e p r e s e n c e of a n g u l a r f o r c e s which c a n be

computed a s f o l l o w s .

Considering the anisotropy of elastic constants, Fd g i v e n

by Eqn. ( 6 . 1 ) c a n be w r i t t e n a s

Fd
= 2. K
2
[ (v+ ) * + E { ( 2+ ~- 0,)2 cos 2 9 - 2 6x $ Y s i n 2+}1 (6.18)

where

and partial differentiation is indicated by the suffixes x or

y . (The d i r e c t o r i s c o n f i n e d t o t h e x-y p l a n e . )

The equation of equilibrium is obtained by m i n i m i s i n g t h e free

energy. Therefore

Ox,+ 6yy = &[(Qxx- $y + 2+x $Y ) c o s 2l4

2
- + x -Y2 - XY s i n 2g1
where $ i s as d e f i n e d b e f o r e . If E i s small t h e s o l u t i o n $ = $ O +
€4 i s assumed where

f o r a c o l l e c t i o n o f d e f e c t s o f s t r e n g t h si a t ( x i , yi). Neglecting

s e c o n d a n d h i g h e r powers o f E ,

The f r e e e n e r g y i s

2 2
Fd -- X2 [ ( v J 1 0 ) 2 - EL(% -JI;,c o s 2 0 0 + Z $XO +Y Os i n 3 0 1

The t o t a l e l a s t i c e n e r g y i s g i v e n by

The a n g u l a r p a r t o f t h e e n e r g y i s

For a p a i r of like or u n l i k e d i s c l i n a t i o n s one c a n write Eqn.

(6.23) as

K 2
F' = - E ~ ~ ~ [ ( e ~ - e . ) c o s z t e + ~ )s +i nn 2et e + c ) l d x d y (6.24)
x Y X Y

where
 9 = s [tan" (J-)
x-d
* t a n - ' ( 2I )
x+d

and

The positive s i g n is taken f o r l i k e s i n g u l a r i t i e s and n e g a t i v e

s i g n f o r u n l i k e s i n g u l a r i t i e s . The a n g u l a r f o r c e i s

In t h e presence of e l a s t i c a n i s o t r o p y an angular f o r c e is

e x p e r i e n c e d which t a k e s t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n s t o t h e a l l o w e d v a l u e s

of c .

The two c a s e s shown i n F i g . (6.4) i n d i c a t e t h a t i n t h e pre-

sence of e l a s t i c anisotropy only a particular configuration with

a s p e c i f i c value o f c is allowed. Let us consider a p a i r of d e f e c t s

o f s t r e n g t h 1/2. When s p l a y i s of l o w e r e n e r g y c = 7T / 2 and t h e con-

f i g u r a t i o n is as shown i n F i g . 6.4, i.e., the line joining the

defects is perpendicular t o the unperturbed director. When bend

i s o f l o w e r e n e r g y c = 0 and t h e l i n e j o i n i n g t h e d e f e c t s i s p a r a -

l l e l t o t h e unperturbed d i r e c t o r . T h e r e f o r e d e p e n d i n g on t h e s i g n

of E: the p a t t e r n changes t o t h e one e n e r g e t i c a l l y allowed and

o n e d e f e c t may be f o r c e d t o r o t a t e r o u n d t h e o t h e r t i l l t h e a l l o w e d

c value i s reached.

A s s e e n b e f o r e , i f t h e p l a n a r s o l u t i o n i s assumed, a n e n e r g y

proportional to s2 is obtained. This leads t o the result that

 Figure 6 . 4 '

The d i r e c t o r p a t t e r n f o r ( + 1/2, -I pairs

i n two extreme cases when c = 0 and c = n/2.
only defects of strength s = * 1/2 s h o u l d be s t a b l e . ' H o w e v e r , consi-

d e r i n g t h e c o l l a p s e o f t h e d i r e c t o r i t h a s been shown t h a t d e f e c t s

w i t h s = + I c a n a l s o be s t a b l e . I n g e n e r a l i f t h e e s c a p e i n t o t h e

third dimension is considered for integral defects, the energy

i s p r o p o r t i o n a l t o s. The e n e r g y o f a d e f e c t o f i n t e g r a l s t r e n g t h

s > 1 i s e q u a l t o t h e sum o f t h e e n e r g i e s o f s d e f e c t s o f u n i t

strength. For example, a defect with s = + 2 has an energy equal

t o t h e sum o f t h e e n e r g i e s o f two d e f e c t s w i t h s = + l , i . e . , two

d e f e c t s w i t h s = + I c a n combine t o form a d e f e c t w i t h s = + 2 . There-

f o r e i n principle d e f e c t s with i n t e g r a l values of s g r e a t e r than

1 should a l s o be s t a b l e . However t h e e n e r g y needed t o g e n e r a t e

these defects is higher than t h e energy required t o create an

individual defect with s= k I. Thus d e f e c t s w i t h s t r e n g t h s = k 1

occur more frequently. Indeed experimental observations of only

defects of strength s=kI or s= k 1/2 had been r e p o r t e d u n t i l

recently. (For e . g . , s e e N e h r i n g and Saupe 1972, d e Gennes 1975,

Chandrasekhar 1977).

6.5 HIGH STRENGTH DEFECTS

D u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f o u r s t u d y o f t h e p h a s e diagrams o f s y s t e m s

c o n s i s t i n g o f mesomorphic and non- mesomorphic compounds w e d i s c o v e -

r e d some u n u s u a l d e f e c t s . Usually such mixtures e x h i b i t a s t r o n g

depression i n t h e I - N t r a n s i t i o n t e m p e r a t u r e and a l a r g e c o e x i s -

t e n c e range o f I and N phases ( s e e f o r e . g . , Martire 1 9 7 9 ) . T h i s

was true in the mixtures studied by us also. Interestingly as

the sample was cooled further and the nematic phase was fully

formed we found stable defects of strength s = + 3 / 2 and s = k 2.

This is the first report of 'high strength' defects in thermotro-

pic liquid crystalline systems. We now discuss our experimental

studies.

6.6 EXPERIHENTAL STUDIES

The non-mesomorphic compound used in the mixtures studied

by us is leucoquinizarin ( 1 ,4,9,10 tetrahydroxy anthracene (THA)) .

THA has a melting point of 147OC. The molecules of this compound

are rigid and flat. Detailed observations which are reported below

were done on mixtures containing the nematogens p-octyloxy-pf-cyano-

biphenyl (80CB), p - c y a n o p h e n y l - p l- n - h e p t y l benzoate (CPHB) and

p-cyanobenzylidene-p'-octyloxyaniline (CBOOA). The structural

formula and transition temperatures of the compounds are given

in Fig. 6.5.

In particular the mixtures with the following compositions

were studied in detail.

1 12 wt % of THA and 88 wt % of CPHB (Mixture I)

2 20 wt % of THA and 80 wt. % of 80CB (Mixture.11)

3 25 wt '$ of THA and 75 wt % of CBOOA (Mixture 111).

1 ,4 , 9 , 10 Tetrahydroxy anthracene ( THA)

p - cyanophenyl p- n - hepiylbenzoate (CPHB)

K 5 3 . 3 " ~SA 66.9'C N 7 3 . 7 " ~I

p - octyloxy- p'-cyano biphenyl (80CB)

K 73.0" C S 8 2 . 5 ' ~N 1 0 6 . 9 ~ ~ 1

n-p-cyanobenzvlidene - p- n -octyloxy aniIine(CBO0A)

Figure 6.5

Structural formula and transition temperatures of compounds used

in the experimental studies.
All t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s w e r e made u s i n g a L e i t z O r t h o l u x P o l a r i z i n g

Microscope (Model I1 P o l BK) i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h a M e t t l e r FP52

hot stage. The s a m p l e s were t a k e n between a s l i d e and c o v e r s l i p

w h i c h were n o t t r e a t e d t o g i v e a n y s p e c i f i c a l i g n m e n t .

A d d i t i o n o f 10 t o 20 w t % o f THA r e d u c e s t h e I - N t r a n s i t i o n

temperature of the nematogens by 20 to 30°C. There i s a l a r g e

coexistence region of about 20°C of the isotropic and nematic

p h a s e s . A s t h e sample i s c o o l e d from t h e I p h a s e , i n i t i a l l y n e m a t i c

droplets with the bipolar structure are [Link] indicates

that the droplets have a tangential boundary condition of the

director (Dubois- Violette and Parodi 1969). As these coalesce,

t h e r e i s a s t r o n g tendency t o e x h i b i t t h e S c h l i e r e n t e x t u r e ( f o r

e.g., see Fig. 6.3a). When t h e whole field of view is c o v e r e d

with the nematic phase defects of strength s = + 3 / 2 and s=+2

c a n be s e e n . U s u a l l y t h e y a r e q u i t e s t a b l e and r e m a i n u n a l t e r e d

down to the crystallisation temperature. We have checked that

i n c e r t a i n c a s e s t h e high s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s a r e i n t a c t , even a f t e r

a few d a y s , on l e a v i n g t h e s a m p l e u n d i s t u r b e d .

Normally the high strength defects occur in a relatively

isolated configuration (Figs. 6.6 and 6.7). Both positive and

negative defects a r e equally probable. Figs. 6.8a and 6.8b show

a d e f e c t of s t r e n g t h + 3 / 2 a t two d i f f e r e n t s e t t i n g s o f t h e c r o s s e d

p o l a r i s e r s . Sometimes t h e h i g h s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s o c c u r as a n i n v e r -

s i o n wall o f t h e f i r s t kind (Fig. 6.9) ( N e h r i n g a n d Saupe 1 9 7 2 ,

Figure 6 . 6 . A r e l a t i v e l y i s o l a t e d +3/2 d e f e c t i n M i x t u r e
I1 zit 5 3 . z 0 C , c r o s s e d l i n e a r p o l a k i s e r s (x 1 9 2 0 ) .

Figure 6 . 7 . A r e l z t i v e l y i s o l a t e d +2 d e f e c t i n M i x t u r e
I1 z t 53OC, c r o s s e d l i n e a r p o l a r i s e r s ( x 1 9 . ? 0 ) .
F i g u r e 6.8a. A + 3 / 2 d e f e c t i n M i x t u r e I a t 3 6 . 1 ° C ,
Crossed l i n e a r p o l a r i s e r s ( ~ 8 6 6 ) .

Figur-e 6 . 8 b . The same + 3 / 2 d e f e c t , shown i n F ' i g . 6 . 8 a ,

p o l a r 3 i s e r s r o t a t e d i n t h e c l o c k w i s e d i r e c t i o n by 6 0 ° .

on g o i n g from 6 . 8 a t o 6 . 8 b .
Figure 6.9. An i n v e r s i o n w a l l o f t h e f i r s t k i n d w i t h a
-3/2 d i s c l i n a t i o n , i n M i x t u r e I a t 2 8 O C , c r o s s e d l i n e a r
p o l a r i s e r s (x 5 0 0 ) .

Figure 6.10. 12 b r u s h e s a r o u n d &n i s o t r o p i c d r o p l e t i n

M i x t u r e I11 a t 57OC, c r o s s e d l i n e a r p o l a r i s e r s ( ~ 8 5 7 ) .
s e e Chapter I ) .

Quite often, before the nematic phase is fully formed, a

l a r g e number o f brushes ( u p t o f o u r t e e n ) c o u l d be s e e n e m e r g i n g

from a n i s o t r o p i c d r o p l e t s u r r o u n d e d by a n e m a t i c r e g i o n . I n F i g .

6.10 we can see 12 brushes around the isotropic droplet. This

is topologically equivalent to a defect of strength 3. If the

d i r e c t o r i s assumed t o make a c o n s t a n t a n g l e w i t h t h e N -I inter-

f a c e , s u c h a d r o p s h o u l d be t o p o l o g i c a l l y e q u i v a l e n t t o a d e f e c t

of strength 1 (Meyer 1973B, Ranganath 1977). However Ericksen

(1970) has pointed out the possibility that t h e a n g l e made by

t h e d i r e c t o r w i t h t h e i n t e r f a c e need n o t n e c e s s a r i l y be c o n s t a n t

and the cross section of the i s o t r o p i c r e g i o n need n o t e v e n be

circular if the elastic anisotropy is also taken i n t o account.

I n such a case t h e i s o t r o p i c d r o p l e t i s no l o n g e r t o p o l o g i c a l l y

e q u i v a l e n t t o a d e f e c t o f s t r e n g t h 1. This indicates t h a t i n t h e

s a m p l e s s t u d i e d by u s t h e a n g l e made by t h e d i r e c t o r a t t h e N - I

i n t e r f a c e around a n i s o t r o p i c d r o p l e t i s n o t a c o n s t a n t .

0
O b s e r v a t i o n s w i t h monochromatic l i g h t ( = 5893 A ) and b e t -

ween c r o s s e d c i r c u l a r p o l a r i z e r s d i d n o t r e v e a l d a r k c l o s e d r i n g s

around t h e c e n t r e of t h e d e f e c t s with s t r e n g t h 3/2, i.e., there

was no v i s i b l e c o l l a p s e o f t h e d i r e c t o r i n t h e t h i r d dimension.

This agrees with the prediction of the topological arguments.

T h e r e f o r e we c a n e x p e c t t h a t t h e s e d e f e c t s a l s o have s i n g u l a r i t i e s

a t t h e c e n t r e . The l i n e e n e r g y i n t h a t c a s e i s g i v e n by Eqn. ( 6 . 6 ) .
T h e r e f o r e t h e e l a s t i c e n e r g y c a r r i e d by a d e f e c t w i t h s = 3 / 2 would
I
be c o n s i d e r a b l y r e d u c e d i f i t s p l i t s i n t o d e f e c t s o f l o w e r s t r e n g t h .

Such a s p l i t t i n g could be o b s e r v e d o n c e in a way. Figs. 6.11a

and 6.11b show t h e s p l i t t i n g of a d e f e c t w i t h s = +3/2 i n t o two

d e f e c t s with s = +1 and s = + 1/2 respectively. But most o f t e n the

defects with strength + 3/2 and -+ 2 remained intact on heating

until the isotropic phase s e t in. Detailed observations on the

c e n t r e s of t h e d e f e c t s with s = +2 were n o t p o s s i b l e a s t h e c e n t r e s

o f t h e s e d e f e c t s were n e v e r c l e a r ( s e e f o r e . g . , F i g . 6 . 7 ) .

I n a l l t h e s a m p l e s s t u d i e d by u s though t h e number o f d e f e c t s

with s = + l and s= +- 1/2 was a l w a y s l a r g e r , a c o n s i d e r a b l e number

of high strength defects was a l s o o b s e r v e d (Fig. 6.12). Because

of the relative stability of these high strength defects quite

o f t e n we c o u l d s e e p a i r s of t h e s e d e f e c t s . In Fig. (6.13a) a p a i r

o f d e f e c t s w i t h s t r e n g t h s s = + 3 / 2 a n d s = -3/2 c a n be s e e n . Figs.

6 . 1 3 b and 6 . 1 3 ~ show t h e same p a i r o f d e f e c t s when t h e p o l a r i z e r s

have been rotated by 45O and 90° respectively with respect to

t h a t i n F i g . 6 . 1 3 a . S i x d a r k b r u s h e s a r e s e e n t o e m a n a t e from e a c h

of t h e defect centres. I n Figs. 6 . 1 4 a a n d 6.14b a p a i r o f d e f e c t s

of strength +2 a n d -2 is seen: eight brushes emerge from e a c h

defect centre. The d i s t a n c e between t h e two d e f e c t s i s 5 10 pm

in the case of both types of pairs. This separation is of the

same o r d e r a s i n p a i r s o f +1 a n d k1/2 d e f e c t s . S i n c e t h e number

o f d a r k b r u s h e s e m e r g i n g from t h e two d e f e c t s i s l a r g e and a l s o

Figure 6 . 1 la. A + 3 / 2 d e f e c t ([Link] by a n arrow) i.n
Mixt:.ure I a t 36. Z 0 C , crossed l i n e a r p o l a r i s e r - s ( x 9 2 0 ) .
Figure 6.12. Three d e f e c t s o f s t r e n g t h 3 / 2 a r e v i s i b l e
in the field of view, the sample i s Mixture I a t
36.5OC, c r o s s e d l i n e a r p o l a r i s e r s (x 4 7 0 ) .

Figure 6.13a. A +3/2 and -3/2 pair of defects in

Mixture I, crossed linear polarisers, illumination
w i t h monochromatic l i g h t ( A = 5893 i ) ( x 3700:).
Figure 6 . 1 3 b . The same p a i r o f + 3 / 2 a n d - 3 / 2 d e f e c t s a s
i n Fig.6.13a. Polarisers rotated clockwise by 4 5 O on
g o i n g from F i g . 6 . 1 3 a t o F i g . 6 . 1 3 b .

F i g u r e 6 . 1 3 ~ . T h e same p a i r o f + 3 / 2 a n d - 3 / 2 defects
as i n F i g . 6 . 1 3 b . Polarisers r o t a t e d c1ocL:wise by 4 5 O
on g o i n g from F i g . 6 . 1 3 b t o F i g . 6 . 1 3 ~ .
F i g u r e 6.14a. A +2 and -2 pair of defects in Mixture I
between crossed linear polarisers, illumination with
monochromatic light (x 3867).

P i g u r S e 6.111b. Same pair of +2 and -2 defects as in

Fig. 6.14a, polarisers rotated clockwise by 45O on
going from 6.14a to 6 . l 4 b .
a s t h e s e b r u s h e s a r e v e r y c l o s e t o e a c h o t h e r i n t h e r e g i o n between

t h e two d e f e c t s ( s e e F i g s . 6 . 1 3 a n d 6 . 1 4 ) v e r y c a r e f u l o b s e r v a t i o n s

a r e n e c e s s a r y t o d e t e r m i n e t h e s t r e n g t h of the defects i n these

p a i r s . I n some c a s e s o n l y s p e c i f i c o r i e n t a t i o n s o f t h e p o l a r i s e r s

make t h e i r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n p o s s i b l e . The p o l a r i s e r s have been r o t a -

t e d on g o i n g from F i g . 6 . 1 4 a t o F i g . 6 . 1 4 b and a l l t h e d a r k b r u s h e s

a r e more c l e a r l y s e e n i n F i g . 6.14b.

Considering a one c o n s t a n t approximation t h e d i r e c t o r c o n f i-

g u r a t i o n s a r o u n d t h e p a i r s o f d e f e c t s i s d e f i n e d by Eqn. (6.16).

Using a suitable algorithm these configurations were computer

generated for different v a l u e s of c. (A few examples a r e shown

i n F i g s . 6 . 1 5 a n d 6 . 1 6 ) . If t h e d e f e c t s a r e i s o l a t e d a n d t h e d i r e c -

t o r orientation f a r away from t h e d e f e c t s is uniform, an exact

v a l u e o f c c a n be o b t a i n e d by m a t c h i n g t h e p a t t e r n o f d a r k b r u s h e s

emerging from the centres of the defects for various settings

of the p o l a r i s e r s with the director configurations obtained as

mentioned above. But t h e s a m p l e s s t u d i e d by u s were n o t t r e a t e d

t o g i v e any s p e c i f i c o r i e n t a t i o n of t h e d i r e c t o r and a l s o t h e

p a i r s of d e f e c t s were c o n n e c t e d t o v a r i o u s o t h e r d e f e c t s . Other

n e i g h b o u r i n g d e f e c t s have a n i n f l u e n c e on t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n s adop-

t e d by t h e d i r e c t o r a r o u n d a n y g i v e n p a i r o f h i g h s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s .

Therefore an exact determination of t h e value of c is not possible.

However a rough estimate c a n be o b t a i n e d by m a t c h i n g t h e p a t t e r n

o f d a r k b r u s h e s i n t h e r e g i o n between t h e two d e f e c t s i n a p a i r ,
 F i g u r e 6.15a

The director fields in the neighbourhood of a pair of defects

of strength + 3/2 a n d - 3/2 a c c o r d i n g t h e Eqn. (6.16) f o r c = O O .
 Figure 6.15b

The d i r e c t o r f i e l d s i n t h e neighbourhood o f a p a i r o f d e f e c t s o f
strength + 3/2 and - 3/2 according t o Eqn. (6.16) for c = 40°.
 Figure 6.1%

The d i r e c t o r f i e l d s i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d o f a p a i r o f d e f e c t s o f
strength + 3 / 2 and - 3/2 according to Eqn. (6.16) for c = 90°.
 F i g u r e 6.16a

The d i r e c t o r f i e l d s i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d o f a p a i r o f d e f e c t s o f
s t r e n g t h +2 a n d - 2 a c c o r d i n g t o Eqn. ( 6 . 1 6 ) f o r c = O O .
 Figure 6 . 1 6 b

The d i r e c t o r f i e l d s i n t h c n e i g h b o u r h o o d o f o p a i r o f d e f e c t s oi'
s t r e n g t h + 2 a n d - 2 a c c o r d i n g t o Eqn. (6.16) f o r c = 4 5 O .
 F i g u r e 6.16~

The director fields in the neighbourhood o f a pair of defects

o f s t r e n g t h + 2 a n d - 2 a c c o r d i n g t o Eqn. ( 6 . 1 6 ) f o r c = 9 0 ° .
with the director configurations plotted for different values

of c. I n t h e case of b o t h t y p e s of pairs, i.e., w i t h s = +3/2 and

-3/2 and s = + 2 and -2 a value of c c l o s e t o z e r o was f o u n d to

be p r e f e r r e d . This preference t o adopt these configurations indi-

cates that the splay c o s t s l e s s energy, i.e., K 33 > K which i s

n o r m s l l y t h e c a s e w i t h t h e t y p e of compounds u s e d i n t h e m i x t u r e s

s t u d i e d . ( F o r e . g . , s e e Madhusudana and P r a t i b h a 1982A).

The pairs of defects have a tendency to annihilate each

other as the isotropic phase is approached. For e.g. the pair

of d e f e c t s with s = + 3 / 2 and -3/2 i n Fig. 6 . 1 7 a i s found t o have

been annihilated as the temperature is increased (Fig. 6.17b).

However a t lower t e m p e r a t u r e s t h e p a i r s of high s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s

a r e f o u n d t o be s t a b l e a s i n t h e c a s e o f + I and *1/2 d e f e c t s .

Ranganath (1983) h a s d i s c u s s e d t h e motion o f t h e d i s c l i n a t i o n

pairs. A r e l a t i v e motion of t h e two d i s c l i n a t i o n s s l and s due

2
to a v a r i a t i o n i n t h e s e p a r a t i o n D between t h e two d i s c l i n a t i o n s

h a s been c o n s i d e r e d a n d t h e e n t r o p y g e n e r a t e d ( = Q) h a s been c a l c u l a -

ted. He has derived an expression for the friction coefficient

by assuming that the disclination velocities are so small that

no r e a l f l u i d velocity is excited. If u i s t h e uniform v e l o c i t y

of motion the frictional coefficient is given by rl = Q / u2 . The

friction coefficient i s found t o increase a s two unlike defects

i . . , defects with s l = -s ) move towards each other. Therefore

2
the friction opposes the effects of elasticity. Thus at lower
Figure 6.17a. A p a i r o f d e f e c t s o f s t r e n g t h + 3 / 2 and
-3/2 i n M i x t u r e I a t 43.8OC, c r o s s e d l i n e a l - p o l a r i s e r s
(X 8 6 3 ) .

FigurTe 6.17b. Same sample area a s in F j g . 6.17a at

45. I o C , the pair of defects have annihilated each
o t h e r with t h e i n c r e a s e i n t e m p e r a t u r e ( ~ 8 6 3 ) .
t e m p e r a t u r e t h e h i g h s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s f o r m i n g a p a i r d o n o t move

c l o s e r a n d a r e f o u n d t o be s t a b l e . B u t a s t h e t e m p e r a t u r e i s i n -

creased the viscosity d e c r e a s e s and t h e d e f e c t s c a n move c l o s e r

and a n n i h i l a t e each other.

As mentioned before the core of t h e s e d e f e c t s is supposed

t o be i n t h e i s o t r o p i c p h a s e . I n f a c t on h e a t i n g t h e s a m p l e f r o m

the nematic phase, the isotropic phase starts, a t t h e centre of

the defects with strength equal t o t 3/2. As the temperature is

increased further the isotropic region is enlarged. The d e c r e a s e

in the N -I transition temperature around the c e n t r e s of these

defects indicates that t h e non- mesomorphic compound i s i n g r e a t e r

concentration i n these regions. This has an analogy i n the s o l i d

s t a t e where impurities present i n t e r s t i t i a l l y o r substitutionally

may diffuse to t h e neighbourhood of d i s l o c a t i o n s and lock them

i n p o s i t i o n (For e.g., Kittel 1 9 5 3 ) . The s t a b i l i t y o f these high

strength d e f e c t s c o u l d be d u e . t o the concentration gradient near

the centre. Indeed these high strength defects have been found

t o occur only i n mixtures. We h a v e made c a r e f u l o b s e r v a t i o n s on

p u r e n e m a t o g e n s u s e d i n o u r s t u d i e s of h i g h s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s and

found that these defects of strength s = *3/2 and s = 22 do not

o c c u r i n s i n g l e component s y s t e m s .

At about t h e same time that we r e p o r t e d the discovery of

the high strength defects (Madhusudana and Pratibha 1 9 8 2 B ) , Lee

a n d Labes (1982) fbund a p p a r e n t h i g h s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s i n a r a t h e r

/
different [Link] used emulsified mixtures of pentyl cyano-

b i p h e n y l o r MBBA w i t h t h e l y o t r o p i c l i q u i d c r y s t a l s y s t e m di- sodium

cromoglycate + ethylene glycol. After a special preparation of

t h e s a m p l e and removal of t h e c o v e r s l i p , d e f e c t s o f s t r e n g t h up

t o 4 were observed. However u n l i k e i n t h e s y s t e m s s t u d i e d by u s

these defects were unstable as the microemuLsion itself broke

up a f t e r s e v e r a l m i n u t e s (1- 20 m i n . ) . More r e c e n t l y s t a b l e d e f e c t s

of strength k3/2 have been observed ( S u r e s h 1986) i n a mixture

of the non- mesomorphic compound 4'- n- heptyl- 4- bromobiphenyl and

the mesomorphic .compound 4,4'-di-n-heptyloxyazoxy benzene. The

defects of strength +2 in this s y s t e m were however not stable

a n d i n due c o u r s e o f time d i s s o c i a t e d i n t o two l i k e d e f e c t s o f

s t r e n g t h + I o r - 1.

6.7 CONCLUSION

We have o b s e r v e d s t a b l e h i g h s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s w i t h s = + 3 / 2

and s =+2 in thermotropic nematic [Link] of these high

strength defects have also been observed. Our own observations

and the other s t u d i e s on h i g h s t r e n g t h d e f e c t s show that these

d e f e c t s occu? o n l y i n m i x t u r e s . I n f a c t p u r e components composing

t h e s e m i x t u r e s do n o t have a t e n d e n c y t o form t h e h i g h s t r e n g t h

defects. The r e l a t i v e s t a b i l i t y of these d e f e c t s could therefore

b e due t o a c o n c e n t r a t i o n g r a d i e n t c l o s e t o t h e c e n t r e s o f t h e s e

defects.
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