A study is presented of the disorder in a convective pattern of parallel rolls, obtained by applying an elliptical shear to a homeotropic nematic layer above a threshold, linear in shear amplitude. Edge dislocations result from the destruction of a pair of rolls over a portion of their length. The deformation of the roll pattern around such isolated defects is analysed in the static limit by analogy with the problem of edge dislocations in smectic layers. Our analysis is in agreement with a recent one in which the concept of phase diffusion was used. Estimates of elastic coefficient ratios are given.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Guazzelli et al. (1983) studied this question.