Reconfiguration of Nematic Disclinations in Plane-Parallel Confinements

We study numerically the reconfiguration process of colliding m=1/2 strength disclinations in an achiral nematic liquid crystal (NLC). A Landau–de Gennes approach terms tensor nematic-order parameters is used. Initially, different pairs m1,m2 parallel wedge disclination lines connecting opposite substrates confining NLC a plane-parallel cell thickness h are imposed: {1/2,1/2}, {−1/2,−1/2} and {−1/2,1/2}. The collisions imposed by relative rotation azimuthal angle θ that strongly pin defect end points. Pairs {1/2,1/2} “rewire” at critical θc1=3π4 all cases studied. On other hand, two qualitatively scenarios observed for In thinner film regime h<hc, rewire θc2=5π4. rewiring mediated additional chargeless loop nucleated middle cell. h>hc, θc2 reconfigure into boojum-like twist disclinations.