Nematic droplets with a new structure

Abstract

We have found nematic droplets with a new structure, suspended in the isotropic phase of some mixtures of a nematogen with a nonmesomorphic compound. The molecules are oriented at an angle of sim45° to the nematic-isotropic interface. This leads to an arrangement of the molecules in the droplets such that there are two point defects at the poles and an equatorial line defect.