61 research outputs found
Fluctuations of topological disclination lines in nematics: renormalization of the string model
The fluctuation eigenmode problem of the nematic topological disclination
line with strength is solved for the complete nematic tensor order
parameter. The line tension concept of a defect line is assessed, the line
tension is properly defined. Exact relaxation rates and thermal amplitudes of
the fluctuations are determined. It is shown that within the simple string
model of the defect line the amplitude of its thermal fluctuations is
significantly underestimated due to the neglect of higher radial modes. The
extent of universality of the results concerning other systems possessing line
defects is discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure
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