Assist. Prof. Dr. Simon Čopar (FMF): Modeling and experiments with twodimensional nematics

Many liquid crystalline systems can be regarded as two-dimensional. Liquid crystal devices usually consist of thin slabs confined between two transparent plates, and basic science experiments often also use flat confined geometry. Using a two-dimensional description is beneficial in several ways: for faster numerical simulations, easier topological analysis, and availability of closed-form analytical solutions. I will present a description of defects in of two-dimensional nematic liquid crystals with complex analytical functions, and examples of experimental systems that can be described by using this method.
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