Figure 2
(a,e,i) POM images of particles oriented parallel and perpendicular to the director. (b,f,j) Corresponding images obtained by keeping the fast axis of the λ-plate (530 nm) at 45° with respect to the polariser. (c) Schematic diagram of elastic dipolar-type deformation around a colloid with parallel orientation. (d) Schematic diagram of elastic deformation around a pair of spherical dipolar colloids for comparison. Perpendicular colloids with (e) nontilted and (i) tilted orientations. Simulated POM images with λ-plate of perpendicular colloids with (g) nontilted and (k) tilted orientations. (h) Director image from the simulation showing elastic distortion and ring defect around the nontilted colloid (thick-red band along the length). (l) Schematic diagram of a tilted colloid in 3D perspective. In this configuration, the particle is positioned near the bottom of the cell. The black arrows near the edges of the box indicate the rubbing direction.
