Backflow-Induced Asymmetric Collapse of Disclination Lines in Liquid Crystals
Abstract
We present experiments where opposed pairs of planar parallel disclination lines of topological strength s=± 1 move due to their mutual attraction. Our measurements show that their motion is clearly asymmetric, with +1 defects moving up to twice faster than -1 ones. This is a clear indication of backflow, given the intrinsic isotropic elasticity of our system. A phenomenological model is able to account for the experimental observations by renormalizing the orientational diffusivity estimated from the velocity of each defect.
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