On the Theory of Domain Walls in Planar Nematic Films

(Received 8 January, revised 1 April 1996, accepted 24 April 1996)

Abstract
The theory of simple domain walls in planar nematic films is reconsidered taking into account azimuthal director rotations additionally. A perturbation treatment is useful to derive analytical equations which are asymptotically valid in the limit of small distortion amplitudes. In comparison to previously known approaches a more complete description leads to a correction in the formula for the wall thickness. This correction also influences the shape of closed domains and causes an array of walls in materials with high elastic anisotropy.