Defects in smectic C^∗ liquid crystals

Abstract

We consider the structure and properties of various topological defects that can occur in smectic C^∗ liquid crystals. The polarization field associated with disclinations, the effect of incornmensuration on the structure of dispirations, some interesting situations in the interaction between dispiration and disclination and between dispirations themselves have been discussed in detail. The properties of cholesteric type disclinations and a possible model for the core structure of a wedge disclination have also been dealt with.