Recent studies on topological defects in conventional and active nematic liquid crystals have revealed their potential as sources of advanced functionality whereby the collective behavior of the constituent molecules or cells is controlled. On the other hand, the fact that they have high energies and are metastable makes their shape control a nontrivial issue. Here, we demonstrate stabilization of arbitrary-shaped closed disclination loops with 1/2 strength floating in the bulk by designing the twist angle distribution in a liquid crystal cell. Continuous variation of the twist angle from below to above $\left|\pi /2\right|$ allows us to unambiguously position reverse twist disclinations at will. We also analyze the elastic free energy and uncover the relationship between the twist angle pattern and shrink rate of the surface-stabilized disclination loop.

• Received 4 December 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.97.020701